Communicative Diseases: An Ethical Discussion of What People Respond to in the Illness and Contagion Context
by LeAnna DeAngelo, PhD and Carol Nemeroff, PhD 2 CE Credits
Description:
As we begin the 21st century, HIV continues its devastation, many illnesses become increasingly drug resistant, avian flu threatens to make the jump to humans, and scientists warn that an influenza pandemic is imminent. It is increasingly important to understand how people think about contagion and attempt to protect themselves from it. This course goes beyond the concept of “magical contagion” to discuss contagions from the perspective of history, morality, and ethics. Specifically, magical contagion research studies that suggest a central role for contagion beliefs in stereotypes and prejudice will be presented with an emphasis on historical sociocultural aspects of germs and contagion. Guidelines to overcome these phenomena and promote ethical care are provided.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, health professionals will be able to:
- Describe how morality is often conflated with contagious diseases and illness.
- Indicate how this both reflects, and can give rise to, stereotypes, prejudice, and victim-blaming.
- Discuss research, historical examples, and philosophical perspectives that show evidence of bias in contagion and illness.
- Identify guidelines to overcome these phenomena and promote ethical care.
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