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As public health scientists, epidemiologists
presumably share a set of disease prevention and health
promotion values with other public health colleagues. This set
of values was highlighted at the graduation ceremonies for
public health graduates at the University of Georgia in early
May 2014.
The Public
Health Professional’s Oath
As a public health professional, I hold sacred my
duty to protect and promote the health of the public. I believe
that working for the public’s health is more than a job, it is a
calling to public service. Success in this calling requires
integrity, clarity of purpose and, above all, the trust of the
public.
Whenever threats to trust in my profession arise,
I will counter them with bold actions and clear statements of my
professional ethical responsibilities.
I do hereby swear and affirm to my colleagues and
to the public I serve that I commit myself to the following
professional obligations.
In my work as a public health professional:
• I will strive to understand the fundamental
causes of disease and good health and work both to prevent
disease and promote good health.
• I will respect individual rights while
promoting the health of the public.
• I will work to protect and empower disenfranchised persons to
ensure that
basic resources and conditions for health are
available to all.
• I will seek out information and use the best
available evidence to guide my work.
• I will work with the public to ensure that my
work is timely, open to review, and responsive to the public’s
needs, values, and priorities.
• I will anticipate and respect diverse values,
beliefs, and cultures.
• I will promote public health in ways that most
protect and enhance both the physical and social environments.
• I will always respect and strive to protect
confidential information.
• I will maintain and improve my own competence
and effectiveness.
• I will promote the education of students of
public health, other public health professionals, and the public
in general, and work to ensure the competence of my colleagues.
• I will respect the collaborative nature of
public health, working with all health professionals who labor
to protect and promote health.
• I will respectfully challenge
decisions that are contrary to supporting and protecting the
public’s health.
• In all that I do I will put the health of the
public first, even when doing so may threaten my own interest or
those of my employer.
In dedication to these high goals, on my honor,
and with a clear understanding of these obligations that I as a
public health professional have accepted, I do, this day, commit
myself. ■
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Note to Readers:
We invite our readers to comment on this oath. We are
interested in learning to what extent the oath is used
at other schools, and to what extent the principles
articulated are accepted and adhered to by
epidemiologists in public health today. Your opinion
counts. Please use the form below.
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