Throughout the years, various epidemics, pandemics and diseases have affected the world and when they occur, citizens demand and expect the government to eradicate the disease, prevent and minimise its spread. This is where public health thrives, it may be defined as the protection of individuals health and well-being through the duties and powers of a state for the greater good of the public. It is, however not, an excuse for the infringement of human rights, even-though it subtly encourages conformity to laws if not given voluntarily, to reduce the risk of harm to the public.[footnoteRef:1] Solutions to public health issues may include the government violating individual rights, and when personal freedoms are being limited due to the greater good of the public, certain individuals protest. However, it relies on a necessary and justified framework which not only focuses on prevention, minimisation and containment of health risks but also making sure that these mechanisms aimed at protecting the public are not utilised in maximum capac
ity instead, it would be aimed at making sure that individual freedoms are only limited in a minimised extent. For instance, according to the Health Act 2006, smoking is banned in public places but not forbidden in an individuals home in the UK. Philosophers like John Stuart Mill argue that as long as an individuals freedom does not intrude on the safety and health of others, their autonomy will not be infringed upon[footnoteRef:2]. For instance, the control of infectious diseases may lead to the government using coercion to limit its spread and ensure the safety of the public. Individual rights may also be limited in situations concerning the protection of incapacitated people as it deals with people who cannot protect themselves, or have insufficient understanding to make informed choices, like children or the mentally handicapped[footnoteRef:3]. [1: G. Lawrence O and L. F. Wiley, Public Health Law: Power, Duty and Restraint. (2016)] [2: Ibid.] [3: T. Murphy, is human rights prepared? Risk, rights and public health emergencies (2009)]