Harvard S, Winsberg E, Symons J, Adibi A. Value judgments in a COVID-19 vaccination model: A case study in the need for public involvement in health-oriented modelling.
Soc Sci Med 2021;
286:114323. [PMID:
34428600 PMCID:
PMC8426142 DOI:
10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114323]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Scientific modelling is a value-laden process: the decisions involved can seldom be made using ‘scientific’ criteria alone, but rather draw on social and ethical values. In this paper, we draw on a body of philosophical literature to analyze a COVID-19 vaccination model, presenting a case study of social and ethical value judgments in health-oriented modelling. This case study urges us to make value judgments in health-oriented models explicit and interpretable by non-experts and to invite public involvement in making them.
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