Among bioethicists, deliberation has long been a subject of interest. While this approach has proven especially valuable in clinical ethics, its application in public health ethics should be even more relevant. Public health deals with populations, which requires actively listening to communities and encouraging their participation in decision-making.

However, deliberation in public health has been little explored, likely because it is rarely practiced. Deliberation is not easy. It is not merely about reaching agreements, negotiating particular interests, or allowing parties to express their views without truly being heard. Deliberation carries both an ethical and a political dimension—just like public health itself.

This monograph explores the potential and limitations of deliberation in public health, offering both historical and contemporary perspectives, and analyzing its role as a key tool for a citizenship-based ethics. It does so with the insights of leading experts in the field, including Diego Gracia, a prominent figure in this area.