The integrity of the mission to promote health

On being clear on values that guide both thought and action

In “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King Jr. wrote “In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self purification; and direct action.” This is an interesting statement for several reasons, each deserving of its own essay. But what has long struck me most about it is its call for anyone looking to create a better world to first engage in “self purification.” I take this to indicate the importance of carefully examining our values and motivations, to ensure that they support actions that can build a better world. Such work is difficult, and it is on us to make sure that before we do anything we think deeply about the first principles of our work—the values that underlie all we do. Are we truly acting on behalf of better health for all, or are we looking to posture and grandstand?  If we find ourselves alone in taking a position, have we thought deeply enough about what we believe to be able to hold to our convictions when the winds of controversy blow? Such examination is a central goal of these essays. Values help guide our efforts, providing a lens through which to view the world, helping us determine the best application of our scientific data, towards shaping approaches that create better health for all. This is particularly true in this post-war, post-COVID moment.

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