| Network Report Thursday, December 15, 2022 |
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Dr. Vineeta Gupta, a maternal and child health physician and human rights lawyer with three decades of experience in clinical and public health, health justice and equity, and organizational development, has been named the Network’s new National Director. Dr. Gupta will serve as chief architect and advocate for the Network’s continued growth and impact, leading the Network’s ongoing efforts to advance health and health equity through law and policy. Read more about Dr. Gupta.
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Legislative Trends in Health and Racial Equity, 2021-2022
Creating a government that is truly for everyone requires laws and policies that eliminate racial and ethnic disparities and improve outcomes for all. As 2023 state legislative sessions approach, it’s important to look back at trends over the last few years in legislation impacting health and racial equity to understand how states are trying to address the health impacts of racism. Because state legislation is a key mechanism for creating the infrastructure for healthy communities, we assessed legislation for the past two years, looking at 447 bills.
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| Curtailing Implicit Racial Biases in Electronic Health Records
It’s well established that individual and structural racism has led to disparities in the quality of and access to health care in the U.S. Recent studies show how medical records are another avenue through which bias and discrimination negatively impact care and further perpetuate racial inequities in delivery. Some states and organizations have taken steps to prevent racial inequities from percolating within medical records by issuing recommendations, publishing guidelines, or by mandating implicit bias training for those in the health care field.
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| The Often-Unrecognized Public Health Impact of Legalized Gambling
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, approximately 85 percent of U.S. adults have gambled at least once in their lives. States benefit from revenue generated by legalized gambling and those funds are often used for specific public good, like education. However, States must recognize another reality, that problem gambling harms individuals and communities (problem gambling has the highest rate of suicide of any addictive disorder) creating a public health challenge that requires funding to prevent or ameliorate.
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| Disaggregation of Public Health Data by Race & Ethnicity: A Legal Handbook
Detailed race and ethnicity data in public health is needed to adequately identify, assess, and address health inequities and structural racism, yet this type of data is often not utilized because of misunderstandings around the legality of collecting and sharing it. To assist public health practitioners and attorneys across state and local governments in the use of data to advance health equity, the Network has produced a legal handbook that addresses the role of law in collecting and disseminating public health data disaggregated by race and ethnicity.
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| 2023 Public Health Law Conference Call for Abstracts
Systems change to address the myriad determinants of health requires a diverse set of collaborators and an understanding of how to use laws and policies as tools to effect change. The 2023 Public Health Law Conference will examine strategies and interventions to dismantle structural barriers to equitable health outcomes. Abstracts are now open and are being accepted through February 6, 2023 – view the call for abstracts.
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Local Privacy Officer Peer Group
The Network is launching a Local Privacy Officer Peer Group that will provide support, resources, and learning opportunities to privacy officers at local public health agencies. Members will participate in quarterly trainings and will be included in a directory of local privacy officers. Members will also have the opportunity to interact with one another and connect directly to other local privacy officers around the country through the Peer Group’s listserv. Those interested in joining the group can sign up here. For more information, contact Network Senior Public Health Attorney Stephen Murphy
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2023 Look-Ahead: What’s at Stake for Health and Democracy
January 11, 2023 | 12:00 pm EST
The Network’s Southeastern Region Director, Dawn Hunter, will be among the presenters at this briefing, hosted by Healthy Democracy, Healthy People and partners. The event will feature health and civic engagement leaders discussing what to expect throughout state and federal legislative sessions in 2023; how voting policies impacted the voter experience in 2022; and what the health sector can do to be an active ally in the movement for a more inclusive democracy. |
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Senior Staff Attorney, Staff Attorney, Network for Public Health Law Mid-States Region Office
The Network is seeking two Public Health Staff Attorneys to work with its Mid-States Region. These are remote positions. The Staff Attorneys will provide legal technical assistance, conduct training, develop tools and educational materials, and facilitate opportunities for networking and peer assistance on a wide variety of public health law topics. The positions will focus on two key areas: 1) legal issues regarding collecting, sharing, and protecting data for public health purposes, including addressing determinants of health and promoting racial and health equity, and 2) legal issues regarding public health authority. For best consideration, please apply by December 30, 2022. View the full descriptions 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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