New ACP paper addresses ethical concepts related to health as a human right
The paper reflects the College's position that recognizing health as a human right and supporting the patient–physician relationship and health systems that promote access to care will lead to a stronger U.S. health care system.
A position paper published in Annals of Internal Medicine on Oct. 31 addresses the complex concept of health as a human right, examining the intersection of human rights, ethical obligations, and health reform.
The paper reflects the College's position that recognizing health as a human right and supporting the patient-physician relationship and health systems that promote access to care will lead to a stronger U.S. health care system. Developed by ACP's Ethics, Professionalism and Human Rights Committee, the paper lays out four positions on the topic and ethical considerations related to ACP's commitment to patient care.
The paper is accompanied by an editorial, “ACP and the Human Right to Health.”