Public Health Law
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Law is an important tool in public health practice. Public health law is an emerging discipline that combines elements from legal practice that are relevant to the work of health departments. Public health officials have many legal rights and responsibilities as they protect and promote the health of their communities. New partnerships between public health professionals and attorneys are emerging as they work jointly to balance individual rights and public responsibilities. This September 13–15, the American Society of Law Medicine and Ethics, the Public Health Law Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will host "Using Law, Policy, and Research to Improve the Public’s Health: A National Conference" in Atlanta, GA. The conference will encourage participants to examine the role of law and policy in promoting, protecting, and improving global and domestic public health. In addition, the conference will help participants build effective partnerships to accomplish public health law and policy objectives. All individuals interested in the use of law as a tool for improving the public’s health are invited to attend. Register online. NACCHO Annual 2010 PH Law Presentation
The goals of the workshop were to (1) increase legal preparedness for all hazards, (2) improve understanding and use of law for better health outcomes, and (3) build strong partnerships between public health practitioners, policy makers, law enforcement officials, emergency managers, and legal counsel across the local, state, and federal levels. The tools included in the presentations are designed for use by attorneys and non-legal public health professionals. 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a new report presenting clear and authoritative answers to 38 frequently asked questions relating to federal public health emergency law. These questions and answers focus on issues relating to legal authorities, public health emergency procedures, isolation and quarantine issues, and workforce issues. This report is a useful resource for local health departments because local health agencies are often the first and primary responders to infectious disease pandemics such as the influenza H1N1 virus, as well as other public health emergencies. To access this report, click here. More » |
On July 14, 2010, the CDC's Public Health Law Program hosted the 
