Standards
ASHDS Code of Ethics
A summary of the principles every member agrees to uphold.
Health data work carries real consequences for real patients. ASHDS members commit to the following principles in how they collect, analyze, deploy, and govern health data.
1. Integrity
Members conduct their work honestly, report methods and limitations truthfully, and do not misrepresent results.
2. Patient benefit
Members keep the wellbeing of patients and communities at the center of their work, even when it conflicts with convenience or commercial interest.
3. Fairness
Members actively examine whether their data and models treat patient groups equitably and work to reduce, not entrench, disparities.
4. Privacy
Members protect the confidentiality of health data and use only the data necessary for a legitimate purpose.
5. Transparency
Members document what their systems do, disclose conflicts of interest, and make their reasoning open to scrutiny.
6. Competence
Members work within the limits of their expertise and pursue ongoing education to keep their skills current.
7. Accountability
Members take responsibility for the systems they build and for monitoring them after deployment.