Voices from the CDC Public Health Law Fellowship
Achieving health equity requires all people to have fair access to the resources needed to achieve their highest potential for good health and wellness in all dimensions. As a nation, the United States is far from achieving that goal. However, one avenue toward health equity is a program designed to strengthen the public health law workforce by increasing diversity within the field and preparing the next generation of public health law professionals to lead.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Public Health Law Fellowship, organized in partnership with ChangeLab Solutions, provides on-the-job training for careers in public health law and policy for current students or recent graduates from MPH, DrPH, MPA, PhD, or JD programs.
Fellows are assigned to CDC or matched with field sites in state, tribal, local, or territorial health departments or in organizations that support work in the fields of public health law and policy. ChangeLab Solutions is responsible for managing the field sites of the fellowship — identifying field sites, matching them with fellows, and providing support.
The first four cohorts of the fellowship have totaled 46 fellows placed for virtual work at field sites in spring, summer, and fall 2023 and spring 2024. Their projects addressed important public health issues like access to reproductive health care, protections for LGBTQ elders in nursing homes, racism as a public health crisis, foodborne illness outbreaks in restaurants, and HIV criminalization laws.
Keep reading for a Q&A with four fellows from the spring 2024 cohort.
Spring 2024 Fellow Brandon Vincent
Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Field site: Lincoln Trail District Health Department, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
School: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta
Why did you apply to the Public Health Law Fellowship Program? What did you hope to gain from participation?
For me, the goal is not achieving health equity but achieving justice and removing the barriers that exist and continue to allow disparities to persist, especially within under-resourced, underdeveloped, and underrepresented communities. The inability to achieve justice is rooted in laws and policies that were not constructed with the diversity of experiences faced by communities in mind.
Rather than simply acknowledge the flaws within our systems, I want to be a part of decision making that transforms them. As a Black man who comes from a low-income family and neighborhood, I see firsthand the very issues that improved policy can address. It is systemic that for years my community never got the opportunity or funds to develop. While I work to minimize the effects these structural inequities have on low-income communities, I hope to usher in resources that will better support these communities as well.
"Rather than simply acknowledge the flaws within our systems, I want to be a part of decision making that transforms them." ―Brandon Vincent
Justice depends on transformative laws and policies that consider the implications that big decisions have on the health of communities. CDC’s Public Health Law Fellowship will prepare me to confidently insert myself into spaces to address and reimagine the systems of oppression, discrimination, and abuse that negatively impact our health. I am very passionate about the social and political factors impacting the health of our nation, but I know that my work will be much stronger with increased technical training. I hope to learn more best practices I can implement in future work!
What have you learned about public health law and equity that you anticipate carrying forward into the next stage of your career?
Though I have interests in transforming laws and policies for the improvement of environmental justice matters, zoning, and community development, learning more about public health law has shown me how my focus in some areas can, in turn, improve outcomes in other areas.
I’ve learned that public health law often illustrates the need for transdisciplinary approaches when constructing laws and policies, as they will impact everyone, whether directly or indirectly. As I move forward in public health, incorporating skills learned in regard to law and policy, I feel charged to continue pushing collaborative efforts and breaking down silos where necessary. For example, after analyzing laws in a legal coding exercise at the beginning of our program, I’ve learned the importance of culturally aware language that’s used when constructing laws and policies. As I move forward in my career, I keep the importance of equitable, digestible dissemination and education at the forefront of my intentions. I even had trouble understanding exactly what some of the laws we reviewed were requiring and trying to achieve, so I hope to improve that in the future.
What’s one interesting or exciting thing you’re working on with your field site?
I’m conducting a health impact assessment that examines the combination of procedures, methods, and tools that systematically judges the potential severity of often-unintended effects of a policy, plan, program, or intervention on the health of a community. As laws and policies are developed with one-sided views and lack of diverse participants from various backgrounds, certain populations often experience disproportionate distribution of negative outcomes. My health impact assessment focuses on the impact of existing and future housing laws and policies on the health and experiences of residents in Larue, Hardin, Meade, Nelson, Marion, and Washington counties, which are part of Kentucky’s Lincoln Trail District.
Where we work, live, and play impacts our health, yet biological factors are commonly a focus. With my interests in environmental justice, community development, and health justice, looking at how housing conditions have impacted the residents of these counties has been profound and shows inequities and policy gaps that I and those with similar interests can work to address. The health impact assessment is a tangible tool that I’ll continue to implement in future law and policy development to ensure that decisions are not hurting communities unintentionally. It also feels like a proactive and preventive measure that can be taken that, from a leadership perspective, will maximize the impact and capacity of teams that I’ll lead in the future. I love learning tangible skills and concepts that I can add to my professional toolbox.
How do you think the fellowship is influencing your career plans?
I honestly hadn’t considered public health law; I was adamant about getting into policy. While both are effective ways to enact change and transform health outcomes and experiences for communities, the Public Health Law Fellowship has opened my eyes to yet another sector of public health where my skills can be best leveraged to create change. As I reflect on what’s next after graduating with my master's degree in public health from Morehouse School of Medicine, I’m seriously considering law school. Even if I don’t go directly to law school, this fellowship has made me even more interested in continuing to learn more about public health law and finding ways that I can get involved, learn, and contribute.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’m grateful for the partnership between ChangeLab Solutions and CDC that resulted in the Public Health Law Fellowship. It’s not only an effective effort to increase diversity within the public health law field but also a manifestation of the importance of collaboration and transdisciplinary approaches to achieving equity and justice. This fellowship has unlocked a new drive in me to consider the wide range of perspectives and career possibilities within public health. The speakers, lessons, and field site assignments have been intentionally curated and, honestly, set me up to really excel while a part of this program. Great leaders have a great team behind them that they also learn from. For me, those involved in the Public Health Law Fellowship are team members who are building me up.
Spring 2024 Fellow Hans Khoe
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Field site: New York State Association of County Health Officials
School: Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta
Why did you apply to the Public Health Law Fellowship Program? What did you hope to gain from participation?
I applied after taking a public health law class at the Emory Rollins School of Public Health. An attorney at CDC spoke to our class about CDC’s Public Health Law Program and the research they do. When I chatted with my professor, he suggested that I apply for the program. Because I was interested in pursuing law school after completing my MPH, I felt like this opportunity offered the perfect path for me to discover how public health and the law could intersect beyond what I had theorized. Now I can learn how to conduct legal epidemiological research and talk to professionals who have had the experience of making a difference in the way I dreamed of as an undergrad!
How does participation fit with your past lived experience, and/or how did that contribute to your decision to apply for the fellowship?
My passion involves seeking an understanding of different ideas and vocalizing society’s unheard perspectives. Everything I do revolves around that passion, and it has led me to an array of topic interests that can be broadly categorized as injury, violence, and mental health issues within public health. Because of that, I have had experience working for a public defender’s office, a think tank, and student organizations that have allowed me to broaden my perspective. What I appreciated about this fellowship was its partnership between government and non-government entities and its dedication to many public health issues on all levels: federal, state, and local. CDC and ChangeLab Solutions are uniquely positioned to effect change by recruiting people with a desire for service to learn more about the emerging field of public health law through applied experience.
"My passion involves seeking an understanding of different ideas and vocalizing society’s unheard perspectives." ―Hans Khoe
What have you learned about public health law and equity that you anticipate carrying forward into the next stage of your career?
What makes learning about public health law and equity so helpful is that it centers the experiences of different people and how they can access public health services. It’s easy to think about equity and social determinants of health from a theoretical perspective, but through the fellowship, I have understood the reality of who this field affects. For example, when conducting legal epidemiological research, we consider real laws that have shaped how people can access services. Experience is important when tackling equity issues, and I’m grateful to have started building this understanding now.
What’s one interesting or exciting thing you’re working on with your field site?
I’m working at the New York State Association of County Public Health Officials (NYSACHO), where we mostly consider how best to support New York’s 58 county health departments. My work has centered on suicide and overdose fatalities and lead poisoning prevention. It’s been exciting for me to research evidence-based public health approaches to these issues, meet county health department staff, and attend conferences over the first half of this fellowship.
The most exciting thing for me was attending an overdose fatality review conference in Atlanta, where I got to meet my colleagues from NYSACHO and hear from experts in the field of overdose prevention. It has informed how I approached researching the issue in greater depth and how I am writing legislation that will give local health departments greater autonomy to conduct fatality reviews.
How do you think the fellowship is influencing your career plans?
The fellowship is showing me the full range of what I can do with degrees in law and public health. Not only do we have trainings that inform different practice areas within public health law, but we also get to work with preceptors who understand our commitment to the field and give us a taste of what we will encounter. While I still have a lot to learn through a legal education and within public health practice, it’s helpful to know what I can do at this moment so I can add more skills that will allow me to succeed in the future.
Spring 2024 Fellow Maite Garcia
Hometown: Hemet, California
Field site: Kitsap Public Health District, Bremerton, Washington
School: University of California Law San Francisco
Why did you apply to the Public Health Law Fellowship Program? What did you hope to gain from participation?
After five years of working closely with newly arrived immigrant families as a community health worker, I realized that while I understood the realities on the ground, I lacked a deeper understanding of the laws driving those realities. My desire to understand the health policies and laws impacting the health outcomes of immigrant families drove me to pursue a master’s degree in health policy and law at UC Law San Francisco. Through my studies, I gained valuable insights and felt empowered to be an agent of change.
Yearning for more, I applied to the Public Health Law Fellowship. I saw the fellowship as an opportunity to bridge the gap between theory and practice. By working alongside leaders in the field and receiving mentorship from seasoned professionals engaged in public health law, I aimed to translate my theoretical knowledge into tangible action. I hoped to learn how to effectively apply health policy and law to address the pressing issues impacting both health policy and communities today.
My decision to apply for the fellowship was driven by my desire to understand the intricacies of health policy and law and actively contribute to shaping and implementing policies that promote health equity and improve the well-being of underserved populations.
How does participation fit with your past lived experience, and/or how did that contribute to your decision to apply for the fellowship?
My journey toward advocating for underserved communities has been profoundly influenced by my past experiences, which ultimately led me to apply for the Public Health Law Fellowship. One such experience that deeply affected me was meeting Magdalena, a 36-year-old mother who had fled violence and poverty in Guatemala with her young daughter. Seeing her struggle, criminalized by the ankle monitor she wore under the Trump administration, served as a reminder of the hardships endured by countless immigrants.
Magdalena shared with me the discomfort caused by the tight device, which was visibly bruising and swelling her foot. She explained tearfully why she covered it, fearing it would hinder her employment options. In that moment, I become her advocate. I assisted Magdalena in navigating health care resources and tirelessly worked to have her GPS tracker removed. Her reluctance to visit the clinic due to financial constraints and lack of health insurance highlighted the systemic barriers that immigrants face in accessing essential services. Through this experience, I discovered an ability to advocate fervently, utilizing my leadership, communication skills, and resourcefulness to be a champion for Magdalena.
This encounter not only shed light on the systemic hurdles that immigrants encounter but also underscored the indispensable role of advocacy in addressing these disparities. My decision to apply for the Public Health Law Fellowship was influenced by the critical need for legal advocacy in addressing the systemic challenges that immigrants face in accessing health care and other essential services.
What have you learned about public health law and equity that you anticipate carrying forward into the next stage of your career?
As I prepare to embark on the next stage of my career in medical school, this fellowship has equipped me with a deeper understanding of Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates, how they impact the physician workforce, and innovative solutions to address maternal health and health care disparities. This newfound knowledge has illuminated the importance of health care accessibility and the role that health and legal professionals play in advocating for equitable policies. Feeling more confident in my ability to engage in conversations on these topics, I foresee myself engaging in legal advocacy that advances maternal health equity and immigrant health. Furthermore, I am more informed and committed to using my legal skills to advocate for patients, particularly those who disproportionately experience negative effects from health policies and laws.
Moreover, this fellowship experience has solidified my aspiration to integrate my roles as a primary care physician and a public health law advocate. I am now more certain than ever that I want to split my time between clinical practice and contributing to the advancement of health policies. By combining my medical expertise with the skills I've acquired in public health law research, I believe I can make a meaningful impact on both individual patient care and broader health policy initiatives. This fellowship has been instrumental in shaping my career trajectory, and I am eager to carry forward the knowledge and insights gained into my future endeavors in health care and advocacy.
How do you think the fellowship is influencing your career plans?
The fellowship has significantly influenced my career plans by providing me with a unique perspective on the importance of local-level public health law initiatives. Prior to this experience, my focus was primarily on affecting health policies at a national or even international level. However, working at the community and public health district levels has been incredibly rewarding, highlighting the significant impact that local efforts can have in meeting community needs.
"The fellowship has significantly influenced my career plans by providing me with a unique perspective on the importance of local-level public health law initiatives." ―Maite Garcia
Witnessing the collaborative efforts of individuals coming together to address community health issues has been inspiring. It has shifted my focus toward the importance of grassroots-level public health legal work in effecting meaningful change and assisting those who may need it most within our communities. This specific, community-focused approach resonates deeply with me and aligns with the type of work I am truly drawn to. As a result, the fellowship has led me to reconsider and refine my career aspirations, emphasizing the significance of local-level engagement in public health law to drive positive change.
Anything else you’d like to share?
One of the most exciting aspects of this fellowship has been the opportunity to listen to people’s personal stories and share them in order to achieve tangible action. I have had the privilege of hearing from community members in Bremerton, Washington, and learning from their ideas on how physicians can better collaborate with non-physician health professionals (for example, doulas, midwives, and community health workers). In hearing their stories, I aim to amplify their voices to the Kitsap Public Health Board in hopes of leading to action on institutional and systemic change. Their expertise and experiences serve as a beacon of inspiration, driving me to strive for excellence and make a meaningful impact in advancing health equity.
Furthermore, these interactions have sparked countless ideas for innovative approaches to address health disparities and promote equitable health care access. Hearing about the diverse initiatives and successes of community members has been both enlightening and invigorating, fueling my passion to effect positive change in my own community.
Spring 2024 Fellow Natalia Babenko
Hometown: Mariupol, Ukraine
Field site: ChangeLab Solutions
School: University of South Florida, Tampa
Why did you apply to the Public Health Law Fellowship Program? What did you hope to gain from participation?
I applied for CDC’s Public Health Law Fellowship because of my strong desire to translate public health research into impactful health policies and regulations, particularly to enhance the well-being of aging communities across the United States. My interest in pursuing a career in public health law stems from a deeply personal experience: witnessing my grandfather's gradual decline due to Alzheimer's disease. Over the course of 11 years, my family and I encountered numerous health care and psychological challenges while caring for my grandfather. This firsthand experience highlighted the urgent needs of older adults facing cognitive decline and the profound impact it has on their lives. The realization that individuals and families face incredible hardship with few resources ignited my passion for combatting degenerative brain diseases by leveraging the best research practices to implement community interventions through the legal framework.
I hoped to learn from experienced health advocates and policymakers who have responded to emerging public health crises, gaining insight into how to develop equitable policies for aging populations and evaluate their impact. I believe that participating in this fellowship will provide me with invaluable firsthand experience in applying the law to protect older Americans and promote their healthy aging.
"My interest in pursuing a career in public health law stems from a deeply personal experience: witnessing my grandfather's gradual decline due to Alzheimer's disease." ―Natalia Babenko
How does participation fit with your past lived experience, and/or how did that contribute to your decision to apply for the fellowship?
My decision to apply for the fellowship was strongly influenced by my extensive international experience spanning 10 years in the fields of chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and public health. I recognized that this diverse background had equipped me with valuable skills and perspectives that would allow me to excel in the fellowship. During my tenure as a regulatory affairs manager, I spearheaded drug registration projects across the Eurasian Economic Union and Europe, fostering relationships with stakeholders in global public health communities across multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, and the United States. This experience not only honed my intercultural competencies but also provided me with a solid foundation in the legal aspects of drug registration in Europe.
Building upon this expertise, I identified a critical need to further develop my proficiency in public health law in order to advance health equity for older adults. During my graduate studies at the University of South Florida, I developed an intervention program to address cognitive decline and dementia in middle-aged adults in Florida. This initiative aimed to enhance health equity by promoting personal health literacy and raising awareness about dementia within the community. Recognizing the multitude of barriers faced by older adults, including transportation issues, age discrimination, and specific health needs in LGBTQ older communities, I was motivated to utilize my academic research and expertise to address these challenges and improve access to equitable health care services.
What have you learned about public health law and equity that you anticipate carrying forward into the next stage of your career?
During my fellowship tenure, I have learned that equitable policymaking can be achieved by analyzing the drivers of inequity in communities, evaluating the impact of the law on the community, and utilizing continuous improvement. I have developed a comprehensive skill set in policy analysis and evaluating a policy’s impact on community well-being, which complements my research skills as a doctoral student. Overall, the fellowship bolstered my confidence in my ability to critically assess policies and propose research-backed recommendations to enhance existing policies related to aging.
Participating in the Public Health Law Fellowship offers a platform to further develop my skills in legal epidemiology and public health law, enabling me to advocate effectively for health equity for older adults. I am committed to leveraging my past experiences and academic endeavors to drive positive change and address ongoing public health issues throughout the fellowship. Moreover, I have come to recognize the significance of language in public health law. In comparing different laws, I have realized that interpreting legal language can play a crucial role in promoting health equity. Therefore, I understand the importance of choosing the appropriate language to advocate for equitable health outcomes.
How do you think the fellowship is influencing your career plans?
Throughout the fellowship, I have gained valuable insights into policy development, program management, and emergency preparedness, which have provided me with a broader perspective on public health leadership. Actively engaging in these areas and refining my skills has prepared me to take on leadership roles in public health with confidence and competence.
Moreover, the fellowship provides me with opportunities to build relationships and network with current leaders and stakeholders within CDC as well as community experts in public health more broadly. These connections are invaluable for gaining mentorship, guidance, and support as I progress in my career. With this invaluable experience, I am confident in my ability to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of public health for older adults and to assume a leadership position within the public health law infrastructure.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I believe that the most valuable experience I gained from this fellowship was the opportunity to learn from mentors within the program. The fellowship is designed to offer numerous networking opportunities with experts in both law and public health, which greatly contributed to my professional development as a public health professional. The supportive atmosphere fostered my growth, and I benefitted immensely from receiving timely and comprehensive feedback, which is essential for continued development and growth. I also feel like a valued member of the team because I can contribute to ongoing legal projects and am an intrinsic part of a group of legal health professionals dedicated to reducing health disparities.
Stay tuned for future updates on the Public Health Law Fellowship.
Top photo of CDC's Public Health Law Fellowship, spring 2024 cohort:
Front row: Sarah Alvi
Middle row: Jessica Irvin, Ally Power, Micaela (Aela) Camozzi, Eunice Mustapha, Okxana Cordova-Hoyos
Back row: Dane White, Abigail (Abby) Outterson, Hans Khoe, Patty Trinidad
6/20/2024