Developing health ethics guidance: a systematic approach
Loading...
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
World Health Organization
Abstract
Description
xii, 50 p.
This publication provides a systematic methodology for the development of health ethics guidance documents (HEGDs), addressing the need for a formal, transparent and evidence-informed approach to the formulation of normative health ethics guidance. Developed within the context of WHO’s normative and standard-setting functions, it offers a structured framework to support organizations and experts involved in preparing ethics guidance for health care, research and public health policy. The publication examines the historical foundations of health ethics guidance, the relationship between empirical evidence and ethical reasoning, and the role of WHO in promoting high-quality, ethically grounded normative instruments. The document presents a step-by-step process for developing HEGDs, covering scope definition, formulation of key questions, evidence gathering and appraisal, development of normative statements, stakeholder engagement, drafting, peer review, monitoring and evaluation. It emphasizes methodological rigour, transparency, inclusiveness, critical appraisal of evidence and ethical arguments, and explicit justification of normative recommendations. Accompanied by a practical toolkit including checklists, appraisal frameworks, literature review resources and a glossary, the publication aims to strengthen the quality, consistency and credibility of health ethics guidance while supporting its adaptation to diverse health systems and policy contexts.
This publication provides a systematic methodology for the development of health ethics guidance documents (HEGDs), addressing the need for a formal, transparent and evidence-informed approach to the formulation of normative health ethics guidance. Developed within the context of WHO’s normative and standard-setting functions, it offers a structured framework to support organizations and experts involved in preparing ethics guidance for health care, research and public health policy. The publication examines the historical foundations of health ethics guidance, the relationship between empirical evidence and ethical reasoning, and the role of WHO in promoting high-quality, ethically grounded normative instruments. The document presents a step-by-step process for developing HEGDs, covering scope definition, formulation of key questions, evidence gathering and appraisal, development of normative statements, stakeholder engagement, drafting, peer review, monitoring and evaluation. It emphasizes methodological rigour, transparency, inclusiveness, critical appraisal of evidence and ethical arguments, and explicit justification of normative recommendations. Accompanied by a practical toolkit including checklists, appraisal frameworks, literature review resources and a glossary, the publication aims to strengthen the quality, consistency and credibility of health ethics guidance while supporting its adaptation to diverse health systems and policy contexts.