Pandemic Influenza: Ethics and Preparedness

Pandemic Influenza Portal

As many epidemiologists and public health experts caution, the world may be overdue for a widespread influenza outbreak. An influenza pandemic has the potential to place unexpected burdens on healthcare professionals, national and local infrastructures, employers, and medical resources. While many are preparing for a pandemic by training responders and stockpiling medications, others (including the Center for Bioethics) are addressing the associated ethical issues. This portal provides links to Center's activities, events and publications on this topic and access to an extensive bibliography, "Pandemic Resources", for additional research.

Featured: Ethics Toolkit for Health Care Practicioners

The Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana University Center for Bioethics have collaborated on an "Ethics Toolkit for Health Care Practitioners Working under Conditions of an Influenza Pandemic". The materials include: an "Ethics Guide" (a large version and a pocket version), a one-page patient guide, and a DVD, all contained in a plastic clamshell case. We have produced about 500 of these and will be shipping them around the state in the next few days. This Toolkit follows directly from the work on ethics and pandemic influenza we have been doing with ISDH the past couple years, which included our successful 'Summit of the States' last summer. Read more and download copies ...

Dr. Margaret Gaffney