Narrative Ethics in Public Health: The Value of Stories (Public Health Ethics Analysis, 7)

This Open Access book illustrates the power of stories to illuminate ethical concerns that arise in public health. It complements epidemiological or surveillance evidence, and reveals stakeholder perspectives crucial for public health practitioners to develop effective and ethical public health interventions. Because it relies on the natural and universal appeal of stories, the book also serves to introduce the field of public health to students considering a career in public health. The opening section of the book also serves as a more didactic introduction to public health ethics and the field of narrative ethics. It describes the field of public health ethics including ethical principles relevant to public health practice and research, and the advantages of a narrative ethics approach. That approach explores the problems and the ethical challenges of public health from the inside, from the perspective of those experiencing health problems to the challenges of those who must address these problems. The later sections consist of 14 chapters that present the actual stories of these public health problems and challenges. In narrative style they range from first person narratives of both practitioners and citizens, to analysis of published short stories. The problems and challenges they address include issues relating to justice concerns, surveillance and stigma, community values and the value of community, trust and the value of information, and freedom and responsibility. Specific public health topics include resource allocation, restricting liberty to protect the community from health threats, and the health impact of trauma, addiction, obesity and health disparities. Preface Overview Justice Concerns Surveillance and Stigma Community Values and the Value of Community Trust and the Value of Information Freedom and Responsibility Uses of This Book Contents Contributors About the Editors Editors and Contributors Part I: Introduction to Public Health Narrative Ethics Chapter 1: Defining Public Health Ethics for Practitioners Public Health Ethics Problems Public Health Ethics Practice Public Health Ethics Procedure Step 1: Analyze the Problem Step 2: Design and Evaluate Alternative Courses of Public Health Action Step 3. Provide Justification for a Particular Public Health Action Public Health Ethics Principles Interdependence and Solidarity Health and Safety Professionalism and Trust Health Justice and Equity Human Rights and Civil Liberties Inclusivity and Engagement Looking Forward: Human Centered Design and Narrative Ethics References Chapter 2: Why Stories Matter: An Introduction to Narrative Approaches to Public Health Ethics Stories Matter Introduction to Narrative Ethics Narrative Medical Ethics Narrative Public Health Ethics Critiques of Narrative Ethics The Future of Narrative Public Health Ethics References Part II: Public Health Ethics Narrative – Justice Concerns Chapter 3: Empowering Communities That Experience Marginalization Through Narrative Public Health Ethics Issue Background Information Approach to the Narrative Narrative Discussion Questions for Discussion References Chapter 4: The Boys Under My Deck: Racialized Violence and Moral Repair Public Health Ethics Issue Background Information Narrative Racialized Violence and Moral Repair Racialized Violence as a Health Issue Growing Up Black in a Culture of Racialized Violence Progressive Policy and the Legacy of Slavery The Legacy of Jonestown A Social Experiment in Jonestown The Boys Under My Deck The Moral Crisis of Freddie Gray Lessons Learned from the Boys Under My Deck Questions for Discussion References Chapter 5: Voices of Our Fathers: Narrative (Care) Ethics, Trust and Trustworthiness Public Health Ethics Issue Background Information The Presidential Apology Approach to the Narrative Dr. John Cutler’s Narrative Mr. Charles Pollard’s Narrative Mr. Herman Shaw’s Narrative Discussion Questions for Discussion References Part III: Public Health Ethics Narratives – Surveillance and Stigma Chapter 6: Disclosure of a Participant’s HIV Status During a Household Community HIV Testing Project Public Health Ethics Issue Background Information Approach to the Narrative Narrative Discussion Questions for Discussion References Chapter 7: Stories, Stigma and Sequences: HIV Cluster Detection and Response Activities Through a Narrative Ethics Lens Public Health Ethics Issue Background Information Approach to the Narrative Narrative Emails Between Chris and Maria: Staff Members at Different Health Departments Blog Posting Between Alex and Perry: Advocates for People with HIV Questions for Discussion References Part IV: Public Health Ethics Narratives – Community Values and the Value of Community Chapter 8: Exploring Public Health’s Role in Addressing Historical Trauma Among U.S. Indigenous Populations Public Health Ethics Issue Notes on Author Orientation and Terminology Background Information Linking Colonialism and Public Health Historical Trauma as Events and Responses Approach to the Narrative Narrative Discussion: Towards a Solution Questions for Discussion References Chapter 9: Ethical Considerations with the Photovoice Research Method: A Narrative Reflection Public Health Ethics Issue Background Information Approach to the Narrative Narrative Harriet Julie Questions for Discussion References Chapter 10: Harm Reduction: Tipping the Balance Toward Treatment and Recovery Public Health Ethics Issue Background Information Opioid Crisis of the Early Twenty-First Century Approach to the Narrative Narrative Questions for Discussion References Part V: Public Health Ethics Narratives – Trust and the Value of Information Chapter 11: Vaccine Refusal: Stories from the Front Lines of Immunization Education Public Heath Ethics Issue Background Information Approach to the Narrative Narrative Margaret’s Memoir Questions for Discussion References Chapter 12: Using Narratives to Improve Health Literacy – An Ethical and Public Health Perspective Public Health Ethics Issue Background Information Approach to the Narrative Narrative Questions for Discussion References Chapter 13: A Novel Approach to Public Health Crises Using Narrative Ethics Public Health Ethics Issue Background Information Approach to the Narrative Narrative Need for the Collection and Sharing of Appropriate Information The Need for Collaboration Questions for Discussion References Part VI: Public Health Ethics Narratives – Freedom and Responsibility Chapter 14: Naming the Patient: Partner Notification and Congenital Syphilis Public Health Ethics Issue Background Information Approach to the Narrative Narrative Questions for Discussion References Chapter 15: My Mother, Obesity and Me: Our Narrative. How Obesity Is Intimately Related to Biopsychosocial and Spiritual Factors Public Health Ethics Issue Background Information Approach to the Narrative Narrative Questions for Discussion References Chapter 16: Exploring the Human Impact of Public Health Interventions in T.C. Boyle’s “The Fugitive” Public Health Ethics Issue Background Information Approach to the Narrative Summary of the Narrative Close Reading in Action Social Determinants of Health Infectious Disease Management and Stigma Incarceration and Compulsory Treatment Questions for Discussion References Index