Ethical aspects of digital health from a justice point of view

Abstract Digital health is transforming healthcare systems worldwide. It promises benefits for population health but might also lead to health inequities. From an ethical perspective, it is hence much needed to adopt a fair approach. This article aims at outlining chances and challenges from an ethi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of public health 2019-10, Vol.29 (Supplement_3), p.18-22
Main Authors: Brall, Caroline, Schröder-Bäck, Peter, Maeckelberghe, Els
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
End users
Ethical standards
Ethics
Fairness
Health care
Health disparities
Health services
Human dignity
Information dissemination
Informed consent
Justice
Medical ethics
Ownership
Public health
Regulators
Storage
Supplement Papers
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Summary:Abstract Digital health is transforming healthcare systems worldwide. It promises benefits for population health but might also lead to health inequities. From an ethical perspective, it is hence much needed to adopt a fair approach. This article aims at outlining chances and challenges from an ethical perspective, focusing especially on the dimension of justice—a value, which has been described as the core value for public health. Analysed through the lenses of a standard approach for health justice—Norman Daniels’ account of just health and accountability for reasonableness—most recent and relevant literature was reviewed and challenges from a justice point of view were identified. Among them are challenges with regard to digital illiteracy, resulting inequities in access to healthcare, truthful information sharing to end users demanding fully informed consent, dignity and fairness in storage, access, sharing and ownership of data. All stakeholders involved bear responsibilities to shape digital health in an ethical and fair way. When all stakeholders, especially digital health providers and regulators, ensure that digital health interventions are designed and set up in an ethical and fair way and foster health equity for all population groups, there is a chance for this transformation resulting in a fair approach to digital health.
ISSN:1101-1262
1464-360X
DOI:10.1093/eurpub/ckz167