Ethics, Equity, and Influenza Pandemic

We are in the middle of an H1N1 influenza pandemic. Fortunately, though H1N1 influenza is spreading rapidly in the United States, it has been a moderately severe infection (more like seasonal influenza) rather than deadly like its grim cousin, epidemic avian influenza. If you are wondering about ethical considerations, public health decision making and decisions, issues concerning limited resources, professional responsibilities and who may be treated and who may not be treated, please see the World Health Organization publication "Ethical considerations in developing a public health response to pandemic influenza."   It's worth reading. And after you have read it, contact your county public health department and learn how it has dealt with these issues which will be vitally important to you and your family when the next lethal pandemic, or public health emergency,  strikes.