Continuing the Library of Congress COVID-19 Health Webinar Series, the Library’s Health Services Division (HSD) and Science, Technology & Business Division (ST&B) will be hosting a virtual panel on “COVID-19 and Ethics: Disparity in Pandemics” on Wednesday, June 23 at 11:30 a.m. (E.D.T). HSD and ST&B hope this fifth event in our COVID-19 series will promote further understanding of the current pandemic and encourage a dialogue between the audience and bioethicists. The program is open to Library and Congressional staff, Members of Congress, contractors and the public. Registration is required and is limited to 1,000 participants. Please use the following link to register: https://loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_xk6cqkC1QlKFrUDHqu8c0w.
Throughout the course of this pandemic, the ethical considerations and disparities of COVID-19 have risen considerably. The CDC has declared that racism is a major public health issue due to the handling and impact of this disease, most notably its inequality across race, education levels and socio-economic statuses. The relationship of economic disparities can be seen in the statistics related to the number of cases, number of hospitalizations, number of deaths, and number/percentage of vaccinated individuals. There are many factors that influence the vaccine compliance of these target populations. Our panelists will cover some of these COVID-19 ethical dilemmas and disparities.
June 23 Webinar Topics and Panelists:
- “Bioethics Reckoning in the Case of Covid-19,” by Professor Jonathan Moreno, Ph.D., David and Lyn Silfen University Professor of Ethics, Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania.
- “Pandemic Disparities,” by Professor Harald Schmidt, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy; Research Associate, Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics; Senior Fellow, Leonard Davis Institute, University of Pennsylvania.
The Library is fortunate to have access to internationally known experts in biomedical ethics and health statistics, who are willing to share their knowledge and present the accurate and up-to-date information on these difficult issues. This information serves to increase understanding of topics useful for current and future policymaking and promote health literacy in our staff and the public. A key objective at the Library of Congress is to connect our staff, visitors and the general public with these experts who have important information that guides us in the right direction.
For more information or questions about this webinar, please use our Ask –a- Librarian Service.
Individuals requiring accommodations for this event are asked to submit a request at least five business days in advance by contacting (202) 707-6362 or [email protected].
Announcement written by Tomoko Y. Steen, Ph.D. and Ashley Cuffia, MLS, Science Reference Section, ST&B Division.
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