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Coercion in Health Programs

Meaning

Coercion in Health Programs is defined as the use of undue pressure, threats of penalty, or excessive rewards to compel individuals to participate in or adhere to specific health-related behaviors or interventions, thereby undermining their autonomous decision-making capacity. This ethical concern arises when incentives or disincentives become so substantial that they effectively eliminate the voluntary nature of participation, particularly in corporate or government-sponsored wellness initiatives. It fundamentally compromises the principle of informed consent and patient autonomy in the pursuit of improved health outcomes.