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Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and the Canadian blood system after the tainted blood tragedy

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  • Wilson, Kumanan
  • Graham, Ian
  • Ricketts, Maura
  • Dornan, Christopher
  • Laupacis, Andreas
  • Hebert, Paul

Abstract

The transfusion transmission of hepatitis C and HIV to thousands of Canadian blood recipients was one of this country's largest public health catastrophes. In response to this crisis, and in an effort to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again, the Canadian blood system has undergone substantial reform. Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob (vCJD) disease was the first infectious threat faced by the blood system since undergoing reform. The response at the time to this risk provides insights into the Canadian blood system's new approach to infectious threats. Our analysis of the decision-making concerning vCJD identifies two dominant themes characterizing the new blood system's approach to safety: (1) the adoption of a precautionary approach to new risks which involves taking action in advance of definitive evidence, and (2) risk aversion amongst policy makers, which has contributed to the adoption of safety measures with comparatively high cost-effectiveness ratios. Overall the principles governing the new blood system have contributed to the system both providing protection against emerging infectious risks and regaining the confidence of the public and recipients. However, the current set of policy factors will likely contribute to increasingly risk-averse policy making that will contribute to continued increases in the cost of the blood system. The challenge the blood system now faces is to find the appropriate balance between maximizing safety and ensuring the system remains affordable.

Suggested Citation

  • Wilson, Kumanan & Graham, Ian & Ricketts, Maura & Dornan, Christopher & Laupacis, Andreas & Hebert, Paul, 2007. "Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and the Canadian blood system after the tainted blood tragedy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(1), pages 174-185, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:64:y:2007:i:1:p:174-185
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Unknown, 2002. "Executive Summaries," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 5(1), pages 1-6.
    2. Kumanan Wilson & Jennifer McCrea-Logie & Harvey Lazar, 2004. "Understanding the Impact of Intergovernmental Relations on Public Health: Lessons from Reform Initiatives in the Blood System and Health Surveillance," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 30(2), pages 177-194, June.
    3. Jenkins-Smith, Hank C. & Sabatier, Paul A., 1994. "Evaluating the Advocacy Coalition Framework," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(2), pages 175-203, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rosella, Laura C. & Wilson, Kumanan & Crowcroft, Natasha S. & Chu, Anna & Upshur, Ross & Willison, Donald & Deeks, Shelley L. & Schwartz, Brian & Tustin, Jordan & Sider, Doug & Goel, Vivek, 2013. "Pandemic H1N1 in Canada and the use of evidence in developing public health policies – A policy analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 1-9.

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