A rich and energizing debate has emerged on the role and relevance of ethical analysis in and for population and public health. Quebec has shown significant vision in integrating public health ethics into practice and policy. In addition to being the only province to have instituted a Comité d'éthique de santé publique [public health ethics committee], Quebec has legislatively enshrined that mechanism, as well as a provincial public health institute and values distinct to public health.

Raymond Massé presents at JASP, November 2010      Photo NCCHPP

The presentations are now available:

Public Health Ethics: A Tool for Deliberation and for the Development of Healthy Public Policies. Click here to view the full agenda.  47 K	.
Ethical Theories, Principlism and the Ethics of Discussion in Public Health   206 K Raymond Massé, Full Professor, Département d'anthropologie, Université Laval and Director, “Éthique et santé publique” group, Réseau de recherche en santé des populations du Québec	.
Using ethics as a tool for deliberation and to influence the development of healthy public policy in the context of an implementation of supervised injection services  36 K Mario Gagnon, General Manager of Point de Repères, Québec	.
Ethics as a Tool for Deliberation and for the Development of Healthy Public Policies: The Case of Unsanitary Housing in Montreal  178 K Stéphane Perron, Consulting Physician, Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal/Direction de santé publique	.
Integrating ethics into policy decision making: Consultation on the ethical issues in prenatal screening for Down syndrome in Quebec  261 K Ghislaine Cléret de Langavant, Deputy Health and Welfare Commissioner, Ethics	.
Public Health Ethics: Choosing Frames Wisely  192 K Susan Sherwin, University Research Professor, Emeritus, Department of Philosophy, Dalhousie University	.
Ethics and Decision Making in Public Health: Health, ethics, social norms and democracy  159 K Richard Lessard, Director of Public Health, Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal	.
Metaphor and public health  242 K Camil Bouchard, professeur associé, département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal	.

Underlying these developments are two approaches to the use of ethics as a tool for policy analysis. The first approach suggests that ethical analysis and deliberation among diverse actors can help chart out justifiable actions in the face of the scientific and moral uncertainty that surrounds many public health interventions, thereby enhancing their legitimacy and effectiveness. The second approach suggests that careful framing of conflicting values and principles can facilitate planning, implementation, and expansion of public health activities, particularly those with preventive and social justice orientations.

Both approaches were explored in the workshop presentations, which included an historical overview and case studies of infectious and non-communicable disease control and harm reduction programs. The workshop, which aimed to broaden and deepen the leadership shown by Quebec health professionals and decision-makers in public health ethics, provided participants with a deeper understanding of how ethics can provide both the space and the language for a more thoughtful, democratic, and just process of healthy public policy making.

Simultaneous translation (Fr-En and En-Fr) was available throughout the day's presentations.

To consult the JASP 2010 website (in French only), click here.