Public health departments are in a unique position to advance health equity and address the social determinants of health (SDOH) using the tools of law and policy. Health practitioners can use law and policy in their day-to-day work and as they engage with communities and other government partners to address health disparities. To confront structural discrimination and identify policy solutions that are equitable, practitioners need to know about creating, implementing, and enforcing public health laws.
Fundamental administrative law knowledge includes:
Having a foundational understanding of administrative law.
You can explain what administrative law is and why it is important for health department staff to understand.
Knowing how to promote health equity in day-to-day activities.
You can use equity-centered rulemaking or equitable implementation and enforcement of public health programs.
Understanding and working within legal powers and limits.
You can navigate legal barriers and avoid having public health regulations challenged in court.
Knowing how to engage community members.
You can use processes for regulatory activities that are fair, equitable, and accessible to everyone.
Start with the Administrative Law & Health Equity Series
Our 3-part series on creating, implementing, and enforcing public health laws was designed for individuals working in or with public health departments in all areas of practice and on all types of regulatory activities.
Our training plan covers fundamental public health law concepts and explores the integral role of law in the everyday practice of public health. Enroll in the plan through CDC TRAIN, watch the trainings, and earn your certificate of completion.
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Explore Hot Topics in Public Health Law
We’ve curated a collection of trainings about how public health law evolves in in response to health crises. Learn more through real-life scenarios and current public health challenges that demonstrate the ways that law and policy influence health outcomes.
Legal Epidemiology Lessons Learned
Participants in our learning cohort applied legal epidemiology — the scientific study of law as a factor in the cause, distribution, and prevention of disease and injury — to improve the health of underserved populations.
Go deeper with the Legal Epidemiology Series
Legal epidemiology is a scientific approach to tracking laws and policies of public health importance and studying their impact and effectiveness. This field of transdisciplinary public health law can help answer many important questions about the impact of law on health. Legal epidemiology is one tool that health departments and organizations can use to learn and communicate about the critical relationship between law and health.
