The impact of politics, science, and laws on public health.

1. WEEK 3 LECTURE
FALL, 2020
HSCI 313
WHY IS PUBLIC
HEALTH
CONTROVERSIAL?

2. SOURCES OF CONTROVERSY
1. Economic
2. Individual
Liberty
3. Moral/
Religious
Concerns
4. Politics vs.

3. 1. ECONOMIC IMPACT
• PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES MAY
AFFECT PROFITS, JOB SECURITY, AND
TAX RATES.
• EXAMPLE: TOBACCO INDUSTRY
ISSUES.
• 2003 ISSUES: “MAD COW” DISEASE.
• COSTS ARE EASIER TO CALCULATE
THAN BENEFITS.

4. • ONE OF THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF
GOVERNMENT IS TO “PROMOTE THE
GENERAL WELFARE.”
• SOMETIMES, INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
MUST BE RESTRAINED TO PREVENT
HARM TO OTHERS.
• PROTECTING “COMMON” RESOURCES
(I.E., WATER, AIR, NATURE).
• PROTECTION OF PEOPLE FROM THEIR
OWN ACTIONS.
• “PATERNALISM.”
2. INDIVIDUAL
LIBERTY

5. • SEX AND
REPRODUCTION
• ASSISTED SUICIDE
• ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
3. MORAL AND
RELIGIOUS
OPPOSITION

6. 4. POLITICS VS. SCIENCE
• QUESTIONS WE MUST ASK WHEN
DISCUSSING THESE TOPICS:
• WHO BENEFITS?
• WHO HAS TO PAY THE COSTS?
• WHOSE FREEDOM IS LIMITED?