Informed consent, cultural sensitivity, and respect for persons

Article Abstract:

The concept of informed consent may run counter to cultural sensitivity. Two articles in the Journal of the American Medical Association assert that in certain cultures, patients do not wish to be honestly advised of their diagnosis and prognosis, and they often do not want to issue advance directives for their medical care. Korean Americans and Mexican Americans tend to defer medical decisions to their families, while European Americans and African Americans prefer patient autonomy. The culture of traditional Navajo Indians emphasizes positive speaking and thinking, so that negative information relayed in informed consent could be considered dangerous by the patient. Ethical and legal liability issues should be explored in cases of withholding important medical information, and physicians may decide to ask the advice of an independent ethical review, which can evaluate values and cultures of the patients.

Health aspects, Social aspects, Editorial, Informed consent (Medical law), Informed consent, Culture conflict, Cultural conflict, Ethnic attitudes

---

Childhood immunization registries: a national review of public health information systems and the protection of privacy

Article Abstract:

A national immunization registry could improve vaccination rates in young children but access to the information should be restricted. Vaccination is a cost-effective public health measure but many pre-school children do not receive their full vaccination schedule. An immunization registry could track each child from birth and send reminders to parents. Twenty-two states have such registries or are planning them, but the mobility of the American population requires a national system. There is no current federal law protecting the confidentiality of immunization status, but this protection could be implemented at the state level. Such laws would determine who would have access to the information, provide penalties for unauthorized use and protect individual data from court subpoena. Parents, health care providers and public health officials should be involved in these decisions.

Children, Ethical aspects, Information services, Registries (in medicine), Registries (Medicine), Immunization of children, Immunization

---

Public Health Powers and Limits

Article Abstract:

The Supreme Court has ruled that most public health issues are the states' responsibility. The police powers of most states range from injury prevention to sanitation, waste disposal, and environmental protection. The federal government has the power to tax, and thereby to raise revenues and allocate resources to protect the public's health. The Constitution protects individuals from violations of autonomy, privacy, liberty, and property. The Supreme Court may intervene in these cases, although it will usually not do so if public health agencies act in a reasonable manner.

Interpretation and construction, Political aspects, Public health, Constitutional law, Constitutional interpretation

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Stem cells for Parkinson disease and ALS: replacement or protection? Pluripotent stem cells from the adult mouse inner ear
• Abstracts: Barrier contraceptive methods and preeclampsia. The dietary fat-breast cancer hypothesis is alive. A Prospective Study of Diet Quality and Mortality in Women
• Abstracts: The Evolving Academic Health Center: Strategies and Priorities at Emory University. The Time Has Come to Reform Graduate Medical Education
• Abstracts: A 69-year-old man with myasthenia gravis and a mediastinal mass. Case 31-2003: a 44-year-old man with HIV infection and a right atrial mass
• Abstracts: Confronting a biological armageddon: experts tackle prospect of bioterrorism. IOM Report a Blueprint for Elimination of TB

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.