Health and Big Data: An Ethical Framework for Health Information Collection by Corporate Wellness Programs. Issue 3 (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ajunwa, Ifeoma; Crawford, Kate; Ford, Joel S.
• Other Names: Goodwin Michele guest-editor.; Washington Harriet A. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of law, medicine & ethics. Volume 44:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 474
• Page End: 480
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Medical laws and legislation -- United States -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Law and legislation -- United States -- Periodicals; Medical ethics -- Periodicals; Jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Legislation, Medical -- Periodicals; Legislation, Nursing -- Periodicals; Ethics -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Societies -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Law and legislation; Medical ethics; Medical laws and legislation; United States; Periodicals; 344.73041
• DOI: 10.1177/1073110516667943
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1073-1105

Abstract

This essay details the resurgence of wellness program as employed by large corporations with the aim of reducing healthcare costs. The essay narrows in on a discussion of how Big Data collection practices are being utilized in wellness programs and the potential negative impact on the worker in regards to privacy and employment discrimination. The essay offers an ethical framework to be adopted by wellness program vendors in order to conduct wellness programs that would achieve cost-saving goals without undue burdens on the worker. The essay also offers some innovative approaches to wellness that may well better serve the goals of healthcare cost reduction.