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Setting Limits for the Principle of Equal Entitlement to Continued Life

Author

Listed:
  • Moreno-Ternero, Juan D.

    (Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

  • Østerdal, Lars Peter

    (Department of Economics, Copenhagen Business School)

Abstract

The normative principle that every individual is equally entitled to continued life is a subject of debate in ethics, health economics and policy. We reconsider this principle in the context of setting priorities for healthcare interventions. When applied without restriction, the principle overlooks quality of life concerns entirely. However, we contend that it remains ethically relevant in certain situations, particularly when patients su↵er from conditions unrelated to the therapeutic areas and treatments under consideration. Thus, we defend the principle while also emphasizing the need for its application within tight limits.

Suggested Citation

  • Moreno-Ternero, Juan D. & Østerdal, Lars Peter, 2024. "Setting Limits for the Principle of Equal Entitlement to Continued Life," Working Papers 18-2024, Copenhagen Business School, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:cbsnow:2024_018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Juan D. Moreno-Ternero & Lars Peter Østerdal, 2017. "A normative foundation for equity-sensitive health evaluation: The role of relative comparisons of health gains," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 19(5), pages 1009-1025, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Equal entitlement to continued life; Population health; Morbidity; Mortality; QALYs;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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