Liberty, Autonomy, Privacy, and Property

Public health agencies, like the legal system as a whole, have grappled with the question of when it is and is not appropriate for the government to interfere with a person’s autonomy, privacy, liberty, or property for the sake of a healthier, safer population. Reflect on your own perspective and feelings regarding this question. Consider the impact of placing an individual’s rights before the public’s health and how this influences public health law.

Choose one of the public health issues outlined in “Table 4: Public health and the Bill of Rights” on pages 115–116 of the textbook. Read one or more of the corresponding cases (these are found in the Table and throughout the text). Then, consider how these cases impact an individual’s freedom, public health law practice, and its associated amendment.

Post by Day 4 your response to the following: (Reminder: You must address all of the Discussion points in one initial posting.)
Identify the case(s) you selected. Discuss the specific individual rights and liberties that are at stake and whether the courts’ decisions are justified. Would you have decided the case in the same way and, if not, how would you decide and what reasons would you give?