scholarly journals Vaccination, Risks, and Freedom: The Seat Belt Analogy

Author(s):  
Alberto Giubilini ◽  
Julian Savulescu

Abstract We argue that, from the point of view public health ethics, vaccination is significantly analogous to seat belt use in motor vehicles and that coercive vaccination policies are ethically justified for the same reasons why coercive seat belt laws are ethically justified. We start by taking seriously the small risk of vaccines’ side effects and the fact that such risks might need to be coercively imposed on individuals. If millions of individuals are vaccinated, even a very small risk of serious side effects implies that, statistically, at some point side effects will occur. Imposing such risks raises issues about individual freedom to decide what risks to take on oneself or on one’s children and about attribution of responsibility in case of adverse side effects. Seat belt requirements raise many of the same ethical issues as vaccination requirements, and seat belt laws initially encountered some opposition from the public that is very similar to some of the current opposition to vaccine mandates. The analogy suggests that the risks of vaccines do not constitute strong enough reasons against coercive vaccination policies and that the same reasons that justify compulsory seat belt use—a measure now widely accepted and endorsed—also justify coercive vaccination policies.

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 588-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Shaw ◽  
Judson G. Randolph ◽  
Barbara Manard

The findings reported in this article are based on a nationwide survey of the attitudes and practices of pediatric surgeons and pediatricians with respect to some of the difficult ethical choices confronting them in medical practice. Four hundred fifty-seven physicians completed a questionnaire in the spring of 1975 in which they reacted to a wide range of issues that have been of increasing concern to the public, as well as to the medical profession. The survey attempts to identify some areas of physician consensus as well as some of the factors, personal and professional, influencing physicians' attitudes. The survey and its statistical analysis are intended to provide current sociological data and are not intended by the authors as an endorsement of any particular point of view or course of action.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-135
Author(s):  
Ziad Akl ◽  
Mona Akl ◽  
Charli Eriksson ◽  
Mervyn Gifford ◽  
Dalal Koustuv

Introduction:The use of seat belts has made a significant contribution to the reduction of road traffic casualties, and the risk inherent with not wearing seat belts in all seats of a vehicle is now well-known worldwide. The use of seat belts has a major role in reducing fatal and nonfatal injuries in all types of motor-vehicles crashes.Aim:The aim of this study is to understand the reasons behind the variation in seat belt use over the past two decades in Lebanon. It analyzes the situation and suggests recommendations to improve seat belt use in Lebanon.Design:Nine observational studies had been conducted in Lebanon during the last two decades between 1997 and 2017, and one qualitative study was performed in 2017.Results:The results show a significant variation in the use of the seat belt. When enforcement efforts are in progress, seat belt use increases. While when there are no checkpoints and the enforcement of seat belt use is almost absent, a significant fall was noticed.Discussion:The results of this study proved the failure of the Lebanese government in saving hundreds of lives just by a simple measure of enforcing seat belt law. Although experiences from various countries prove that such laws usually have a long-lasting effect on seat belt use, Lebanon failed to pursue the successful implementation of this law due to security and political problems.Conclusion:During the past two decades, Lebanon witnessed continuous fluctuations in seat belt use. Outside few short enforcement campaigns, our observations showed lack in seat belt use. Our observations of seat belt use among drivers and front seat passengers showed a significant correlation between seat belt use and the enforcement of seat belt law.The greatest national benefits from seat belt use are obtained when wearing rates are very high. This can be achieved only through a sustained enforcement campaign alongside other seat belt wearing interventions such as publicity and education.


2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pius Ehiawaguan Iribhogbe ◽  
Clement Odigie Osime

AbstractIntroduction:Trauma is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. A quarter of all fatalities due to injury occur due to road traffic crashes with 90% of the fatalities occurring in low- and medium-income countries. Poor compliance with the use of seat belts is a problem in many developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of seatbelt compliance in motor vehicles in Benin City, Nigeria.Methods:A five-day, observational study was conducted in strategic locations in Benin City. The compliance rates of drivers, front seat passengers, and rear seat passengers in the various categories of vehicles were evaluated, and the data were subjected to statistical processing using the Program for Epidemiology.Results:A total of 369 vehicles were observed. This consisted of 172 private cars, 64 taxis, 114 buses, 15 trucks, and four other vehicles. The seat belt compliance rate for drivers was 52.3%, front seat passengers 18.4%, and rear seat passengers 6.1%. Drivers of all categories of vehicles were more likely to use the seat belt compared to front seat passengers (p = 0.000) and rear seat passengers (p = 0.000). Drivers of private cars were more likely to use seat belts compared to taxi drivers (p = 0.000) and bus drivers (p = 0.000). Front seat passengers in private cars were more likely to use the seat belt compared to front seat passengers in taxis (p = 0.000) and buses (p = 0.000). Rear seat pas-sengers in private cars also were more likely to use seat belts compared to rear seat passengers in taxis (p = 0.000) and buses (p = 0.000).Conclusions:Compliance with seat belt use in Benin City is low. Legislation, educational campaigns, and enforcement of seat belt use are needed.


Author(s):  
Joonbum Lee ◽  
Vindhya Venkatraman ◽  
Christian M. Richard

Seat belts are the most effective injury prevention tool available in motor vehicles. However, researchers have a limited understanding of the factors underlying occasional seat belt use. Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP2) Naturalistic Driving Study data provide researchers a way to develop a detailed understanding of occasional belt use behavior. The present study examined two predictors (trip distance and average trip speed) of buckled and unbuckled trips from occasional seat belt users using the SHRP2 data. The present study utilized both descriptive analysis (to confirm previous finding) and predictive analysis (to assess predictive power of the models) using trip distance and average trip speed. The results from a logistic regression model showed that unbuckled trips were associated with short trips and lower speed trips compared to buckled trips. Two Random Decision Forest models were applied to predict buckled/unbuckled trips of the occasional seat belt users, and the results showed that model performance was within a fair performance range. The models differentiated between buckled and unbuckled trips at an accuracy of 61-64%. Results suggest that the occasional seat belt users may decide their seat belt use prior to trips based on the distance/duration and average. The preliminary findings of the study shed light on strategies that can be used when designing countermeasures to promote seat belt use.


Author(s):  
V.N. Kurdyukov ◽  
◽  
T.V. Lebedeva ◽  

The article considers common classifications of measures to reduce environmentaleconomic damage from motor vehicles. Classification from the point of view of control impact is proposed, which allows to take into account relations between the state and citizens in the field of reduction of negative impact of motor vehicles on the environment. The analysis of the classification made it possible to identify areas of activity for improving the efficiency of management impacts, taking into account the incentives of citizens to comply with the requirements of the legislation and to create conditions for their exceeding. Increasing the efficiency of resource allocation in the Territory will allow the released funds to be allocated to the development of industry, agriculture, education and science.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Мария Григорьевна Алпатова ◽  
Мария Игоревна Щеглова ◽  
Elmira Kalybaevna Adil’bekova ◽  
Nuradin Alibaev ◽  
Arunas Svitojus

The conference is a major international forum for analyzing and discussing trends and approaches in research in the field of basic science and applied research. We provide a platform for discussions on innovative, theoretical and empirical research. The form of the conference: in absentia, without specifying the form in the collection of articles. Working languages: Russian, English Doctors and candidates of science, scientists, specialists of various profiles and directions, applicants for academic degrees, teachers, graduate students, undergraduates, students are invited to participate in the conference. There is one blind verification process in the journal. All articles will be initially evaluated by the editor for compliance with the journal. Manuscripts that are considered appropriate are then usually sent to at least two independent peer reviewers to assess the scientific quality of the article. The editor is responsible for the final decision on whether to accept or reject the article. The editor's decision is final. The main criterion used in assessing the manuscript submitted to the journal is: uniqueness or innovation in the work from the point of view of the methodology being developed and / or its application to a problem of particular importance in the public sector or service sector and / or the setting in which the efforts, for example, in the developing region of the world. That is, the very model / methodology, application and context of problems, at least one of them must be unique and important. Additional criteria considered in the consideration of the submitted document are its accuracy, organization / presentation (ie logical flow) and recording quality.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Изабелла Станиславовна Чибисова ◽  
Диана Ильгизаровна Шарипова ◽  
Альфия Галиевна Зулькарнаева ◽  
Ксения Александровна Дулова ◽  
Садег Амирзадеган ◽  
...  

The conference is a major international forum for analyzing and discussing trends and approaches in research in the field of basic science and applied research. We provide a platform for discussions on innovative, theoretical and empirical research. The form of the conference: in absentia, without specifying the form in the collection of articles. Working languages: Russian, English Doctors and candidates of science, scientists, specialists of various profiles and directions, applicants for academic degrees, teachers, graduate students, undergraduates, students are invited to participate in the conference. There is one blind verification process in the journal. All articles will be initially evaluated by the editor for compliance with the journal. Manuscripts that are considered appropriate are then usually sent to at least two independent peer reviewers to assess the scientific quality of the article. The editor is responsible for the final decision on whether to accept or reject the article. The editor's decision is final. The main criterion used in assessing the manuscript submitted to the journal is: uniqueness or innovation in the work from the point of view of the methodology being developed and / or its application to a problem of particular importance in the public sector or service sector and / or the setting in which the efforts, for example, in the developing region of the world. That is, the very model / methodology, application and context of problems, at least one of them must be unique and important. Additional criteria considered in the consideration of the submitted document are its accuracy, organization / presentation (ie logical flow) and recording quality.


Author(s):  
Edmund Thomas

The quality of "monumentality" is attributed to the buildings of few historical epochs or cultures more frequently or consistently than to those of the Roman Empire. It is this quality that has helped to make them enduring models for builders of later periods. This extensively illustrated book, the first full-length study of the concept of monumentality in Classical Antiquity, asks what it is that the notion encompasses and how significant it was for the Romans themselves in molding their individual or collective aspirations and identities. Although no single word existed in antiquity for the qualities that modern authors regard as making up that term, its Latin derivation--from monumentum, "a monument"--attests plainly to the presence of the concept in the mentalities of ancient Romans, and the development of that notion through the Roman era laid the foundation for the classical ideal of monumentality, which reached a height in early modern Europe. This book is also the first full-length study of architecture in the Antonine Age--when it is generally agreed the Roman Empire was at its height. By exploring the public architecture of Roman Italy and both Western and Eastern provinces of the Roman Empire from the point of view of the benefactors who funded such buildings, the architects who designed them, and the public who used and experienced them, Edmund Thomas analyzes the reasons why Roman builders sought to construct monumental buildings and uncovers the close link between architectural monumentality and the identity and ideology of the Roman Empire itself.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Heidari ◽  
Nasrin Sayfouri

ABSTRACT In March 2020, concurrently with the outbreak of COVID-19 in Iran, the rate of alcohol poisoning was unexpectedly increased in the country. This study has attempted to make an overall description and analysis of this phenomenon by collecting credible data from the field, news, and reports published by the emergency centers and the Iranian Ministry of Health. The investigations showed that in May 20, 2020, more than 6150 people have been affected by methanol poisoning from whom 804 deaths have been reported. A major cause of the increased rate of alcohol poisoning in this period was actually the illusion that alcohol could eliminate the Coronaviruses having entered the body. It is of utmost importance that all mass media try to dismiss the cultural, religious, and political considerations and prepare convincing programs to openly discuss the side-effects of forged alcohol consumption with the public, especially with the youth. It must be clearly specified that “consuming alcohol cannot help prevent COVID-19.”


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