An Account of Collective Actions in Public Health

Abstract

Aggregated health decisions by individuals are of paramount importance to public health professionals and policymakers, especially in situations where collective participation is a prerequisite for achieving an important public health goal such as herd immunity. In such circumstances, concerted action often falls short of the common good through lack of sufficient participation. Collective action problems are traditionally attributed to rational egoists seeking to promote their interests and enjoy a "free ride." We call attention, however, to the behavioral features of collective action and their implications for solving public health policy problems.

Behavioral Vaccines and Evidence-Based Kernels: Nonpharmaceutical Approaches for the Prevention of Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders

“…This can cost between 2-4 million dollars per child, impacting public-safety, health-care, social services, school and work-place productivity, etc. 91 As mentioned earlier, a public-health approach can confer “herd immunity” for the population 92-95

Stigmatizing Persons or Groups At Risk Reduces Prevention .

…”

Economic Shocks and Public Health Protections in US Metropolitan Areas

“…33 Because public health activities are true public goods that benefit broad segments of the population over relatively long periods of time, the private sector may not face sufficient economic incentives to support them at socially optimal levels and to create stable financing mechanisms. 45 Experimentation with new, long-term financing instruments, such as social impact bonds, may help public health protections become more resilient to economic shocks. 46 However, the Institute of Medicine's call for a larger federal role in financing public health activities 5 may also prove necessary to ensure that these protections weather economic cycles and achieve more equitable coverage across the United States.…”

Hésitation face à la vaccination : considérations éthiques vues de multiples perspectives

“…La volonté de promouvoir une couverture vaccinale élevée s'est souvent traduite, de la part des autorités en santé publique, par l'offre d'incitatifs (en Australie, prestations de maternité et allocations universelles pour les soins aux enfants sur présentation d'une preuve de vaccination; Salmon et coll., 2006) et l'imposition de moyens de dissuasion (p. ex., obstacles à l'inscription scolaire pour les personnes demandant une exemption de la vaccination; Siegal, Siegal et Bonnie, 2009).…”

“…Nous ne recommandons pas d'accorder à tout prix le respect de l'autonomie des individus et des groupes. Au contraire, il est reconnu qu'il y a un conflit entre les droits individuels et les mesures prises dans le cadre de programmes de santé publique et qu'il ne se réglera pas facilement (Siegal, Siegal et Bonnie, 2009). Si l'on adopte une perspective tenant compte de réalités plus larges en matière sociale, culturelle, religieuse et politique, cependant, il est essentiel de reconnaître expressément les valeurs sur lesquelles sont fondés les systèmes de santé publique.…”