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Network Report Thursday, July 14, 2022 |
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In this session at the fall 2022 Public Health Law Summit, Maryland state legislators will discuss the critical challenges and opportunities presented by the adult-use legalization process with a focus on issues of social justice, equity, consumer safety, local control, youth access, and other important public health issues related to cannabis. Join us in Baltimore for this session and others examining the quickly changing landscape of law and policy in both cannabis and health equity. View schedule of sessions and register.
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Using Law and Policy to Advance Health Equity: Recommendations from the White House Health Equity Task Force
On January 21, 2021, the Biden Administration issued a National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness. One of the action items in the plan was to establish the COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force to make recommendations on strategies to mitigate health and social inequities due to COVID-19. The Task Force concluded its work in October 2021, issuing a Final Report and Recommendations; 36 recommendations in the report involve law and policy that provide a framework for improving health outcomes.
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| Public Health Law News Roundup
Some of the public health law and policy issues in the headlines in recent weeks include state and federal responses to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade including President Biden’s executive order expanding access to "medication abortion" and ensuring women’s access to emergency medical care, family planning services, and contraception; the first major gun safety legislation passed by Congress in nearly 30 years; the Supreme Court ruling that limits the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate carbon emissions; and Oregon’s ban on synthetic cannabis products.
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| Tennessee’s Naloxone Access Law, Explained
In 2021 drug overdose claimed the lives of nearly 108,000 people, and either by themselves or in combination with other drugs or alcohol, opioids were responsible for approximately 75 percent of these deaths. Many of these deaths could have been prevented with the administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone and, where needed, other emergency care. This fact sheet outlines modifications and other changes to laws in Tennessee to increase access to naloxone, including removal of some confusing language that previously limited the impact of state efforts to increase access to lifesaving opioid antagonist medications.
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| Legality of Expired Naloxone in Tennessee
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have modified their laws to increase access to naloxone, the standard first-line treatment for opioid overdose. While these laws have been successful in increasing access to this lifesaving medication, few explicitly address the legality of distributing and administering naloxone that is past its expiration date. This fact sheet discusses whether Tennessee laws forbid the prescription, dispensing, distribution, possession, or administration of expired naloxone and whether medical professionals and others who take such actions might be held liable.
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| Legality of Dispensing Naloxone to Minors in California
There are a number of reasons individuals under the age of 18 may need access to the life-saving overdose reversal medication naloxone or another opioid antagonist. Substance use disorders often develop in adolescence, and around 10 percent of overdoses nationally occur in youth and young adults below 26 years old. In 2020, over 15 percent (874 out of 5,502) overdose deaths in California occurred in individuals under the age of 25. Additionally, individuals under the age of 18 may be able to intervene in the overdose of an adult, such as a friend or family member. This fact sheet examines the legality of dispensing naloxone to minors in California.
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| Ensuring a Just Transition in All Aspects of Climate Action 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EST | July 27, 2022
The devastating effects of climate change represent a significant risk to the health and safety of all, but not all people are equally impacted. A disproportionate share of exposures to environmental pollution and climate change hazards impact communities of color. Attend this webinar to learn about law and policy approaches to environmental justice and a just transitions framework that equitably distributes the costs and benefits of climate action. Learn more and register.
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2022 Public Health Law Summit: Climate Change and Health Equity
October 12 – 14, 2022 | Minneapolis, MN
The 2022 Climate Change and Health Equity Summit will bring together health departments, health care providers, and community-based organizations and others who are working with communities to achieve health equity and develop climate solutions that are centered in a health equity framework. Attend this Summit to engage with others to build a shared understanding of how public health law can and should make our communities healthier and help mitigate climate change. Learn more and register.
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The Network at NACCHO
Stop by the Network booth at the NACCHO 360 Conference July 19-21 in Atlanta to learn about our work identifying state laws protecting public health officials from harassment and threats, as well as our new Act for Public Health initiative with our partner organizations. Act for Public Health provides direct assistance to departments of health in navigating proposed and passed legislation limiting their authority. Network attorneys Jill Krueger and Brooke Torton will present in the session, “Protecting Public Health Officials and Authority: Themes, Resources, and Discussion.” Chris Alibrandi O’Connor will moderate the session, “Working with Tribes to Improve Health Outcomes: Recognizing the Benefits (and Legal Obligations) of Sharing Data with Indian Tribes and Tribal Epidemiology Centers.” And Colleen Healy Boufides will present a poster titled, “Legal Challenges and Pathways for Protecting K-12 Students from COVID-19.”
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The Public Health Law Practitioners Convening August 17-19, 2022 | Chicago, IL
Law and policy practitioners are integral to state, tribal, local, and territorial public health practice. To support the critical role of public health law and policy professionals, CDC and NACCHO have organized this convening for practitioners interested in developing professional relationships, gaining knowledge, and discovering innovative practices from their peers while considering the incorporation of equity and cross-sector partnership in their work. Network Southeastern Region Director Dawn Hunter will participate in a panel on health equity and research in practice, Mid-States Region Director Denise Chrysler will be a co-presenter in the session, An Update to the Social Distancing Law Project: A Tool for Assessing Legal Preparedness for Emergencies, and Mid-States Deputy Director Carrie Waggoner will present the resource, Legal Challenges and Pathways for Protecting K-12 Students from COVID-19. Learn more and register.
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U.S E-Cigarette Regulations – 50 State Review
This snapshot of U.S. e-cigarette regulations, published by the Public Health Law Center, is based on a survey of current statutes in 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories in the following areas: definition of “tobacco product,” taxation, product packaging, youth access/other retail restrictions, licensure, and smoke-free air legislation. |
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National Director, Network for Public Health Law
Following the retirement of Network National Director Donna Levin, the Network is searching for a new National Director to provide strategic direction, lead organizational development, and oversee the work of its National Office and five Region Offices. The ideal candidate is an energetic hands-on leader with unquestionable integrity and high ethical standards, who is able to lead and inspire with an entrepreneurial mindset. The National Director must have exceptional ability to proactively engage and facilitate discussions with a broad range of stakeholders to champion the Network and its mission to provide visionary leadership in the use of law to protect, promote, and improve health and health equity. As the position is integral to ensuring organizational stability and growth, the National Director must have a strong track record in identifying and securing diverse sources of revenue, including philanthropic and government funding, as well as earned-income. View the full position posting here
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Marketing and Communications Specialist
The Network seeks an individual who is passionate about health and social justice to join us as our Marketing and Communications Specialist to help us successfully raise our national profile, engage with our key constituents, expand our reach, and improve our support to communities. The Marketing and Communications Specialist must be a tech savvy self-starter with excellent verbal and written communication skills, and will be responsible for developing and implementing communication, marketing, and outreach campaigns and programs. This position is based at the Network’s National Office in Edina, Minnesota, and reports to the Associate Director, Marketing Communications. View the full description and apply here.
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Thank you!
Your interest in the work of the Network is important. Together, we can advance law as a tool to improve public health. Please forward the Network Report and encourage others to join the Network! |
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The Network for Public Health Law provides information and technical assistance on issues related to public health. The legal information and assistance provided in this document does not constitute legal advice or legal representation. For legal advice, readers should consult a lawyer in their state. |
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