Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is seeking community members to serve on its Ethics Review Committee. The committee reviews actual and potential public health ethical dilemmas and provides recommendations to Public Health staff, management and community partners.

The committee is composed of community members and professionals from a variety of fields. The committee meets three times per year, with more meetings scheduled as needed, to understand and deliberate on ethical issues relating to public health policies, systems and operations.

Some examples of issues the Public Health Ethics Review Committee is likely to review include:

• How should Public Health allocate limited resources, such as vaccines or ventilators, during a pandemic?
• How should Public Health avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest when working with vendors?
• When should a person be isolated, quarantined or even jailed to protect the health of others?

Public Health is seeking four community members with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to join the committee. There is no particular education or experience requirement for committee members; previous familiarity with ethics or experience in the health field is not required. Training will be provided for new members.

Ideal participants will be interested in ethical or public health concerns. Participants will be expected to listen and engage in respectful dialogue with others who may have differing viewpoints. Participants should be ready to think critically about topics that may challenge their values.

Those who are interested in joining the committee can submit a letter of interest that includes answers to questions outlined on the Public Health Ethics Review Committee website. Completed letters can be submitted to ethics.ph@clark.wa.gov. 

CONTACT
Marissa Armstrong
Communications specialist
Public Health
564.397.7307
marissa.armstrong@clark.wa.gov