Table 1.
Substantive normative criteria for ethical analysis in public health.
| Normative criteria | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Expected health benefits for the target population |
| • Range of expected effects (endpoints) | |
| • Magnitude and likelihood of each effect | |
| • Strength of evidence of each effect | |
| • Public health (practical) relevance of effects | |
| • Incremental benefit compared to alternative interventions | |
| 2 | Potential harm and burdens |
| • Range of potential negative effects (endpoints) | |
| • Magnitude and likelihood of each negative effect | |
| • Strength of evidence for each negative effect | |
| • Public health (practical) relevance of the negative effects | |
| • Burdens and harms compared to alternative interventions | |
| 3 | Impact on autonomy |
| • Health-related empowerment (e.g., improved health literacy) | |
| • Respect for individual autonomous choice (e.g., possibility of informed consent, least restrictive means) | |
| • Protection of privacy and confidentiality (e.g., data protection) | |
| 4 | Impact on equity |
| • Access to the public health intervention | |
| • Distribution of the intervention’s benefits, burdens and risks | |
| • Impact on health disparities | |
| • Need for compensation? | |
| 5 | Expected efficiency |
| • Incremental cost-benefit/cost-effectiveness ratio | |
| • Strength of evidence for expected efficiency | |