Public health law is constantly evolving in response to public health emergencies like natural disasters, the opioid epidemic, and health care shortages. When such events occur, an understanding of the law is critical to any effective public health response. From communicable disease outbreaks (like the H1N1 flu virus) to natural disasters (like Hurricane Katrina), public health law — and, more specifically, the Constitution — plays a central role. For example, public health practitioners may ask,
- What can first responders legally do in the event of an outbreak?
- What are best practices for reducing prescription drug overdose?
- How might pharmacists’ services be used to manage chronic disease and mitigate the burden of illness?
To help practitioners answer these questions, the Public Health Law Academy offers the trainings listed below, which examine real-life scenarios and current public health challenges, demonstrating the myriad ways that law and policy influence health outcomes.
