DDRO 25A34 - Public Health Law, Policy and Bioethics

This course provides an overview of some of the main legal, ethical and policy foundations that shape public health debates in contemporary societies through a multi-disciplinary perspective. During thematic sessions, students will explore how legal and ethical considerations structure public health policies and decision-making. It hopes to provide students starter tools in policy analysis and engagement with legal texts as well as with bioethical principles. The topics covered will include an introduction to comparative analysis of healthcare systems, health policy debates such as the question of access to medicines and reproductive health care, the study of legal levers available to citizens through the example of the right to health, but also a specific focus on public health crisis. Finally, moving to a selection of main contemporary bioethical debates, three classes will be devoted to the exploration of the rapidly evolving intersections between innovation, bioethics and legal frameworks.

The reading materials will include news articles, public organization reports, academic articles and book chapters that present diverse viewpoints on the topics presented. Students will be expected to have completed all assigned readings prior to each class to ensure fruitful discussion and an interactive experience. This course will be based on guided discussions enriched by concrete case studies.

No background or prerequisites are required.

• Class participation 20%
• Mid-term in-class exam 40%
• Final assignment: 2000 words research paper 40%