Network Report

Thursday, November 2, 2023

The challenges surrounding public health advocacy are profound, yet many opportunities to strengthen it exist in every environment. This report summarizes findings from research that looked at specific markers of advocacy capacity and interviews of key respondents in 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report also highlights opportunities and potential models to strengthen support for public health. Read the full report.

Law & Policy Insights

Office for Civil Rights and Federal Trade Commission Renew Warnings of Online Tracking and Health Information

The OCR and FTC have issued renewed warnings regarding the dangers of online tracking technologies and the harm they can pose to the privacy of an individual’s health information. OCR and FTC warn that tracking technologies collect identifiable information, mostly unbeknownst to users, and can lead to violations of three federal laws by regulated entities.

HHS’s Newly Updated Security Risk Assessment Tool Helps Entities Better Protect Electronic Health Information

In September, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology announced the release of an updated Security Risk Assessment Tool. The tool is designed to make it easier for entities and business associates covered under HIPAA to understand and remediate risks to electronic health information.

Resources

Legal Interventions to Reduce Overdose Mortality: Naloxone Access Laws

Many states have amended laws limiting access to naloxone, which when administered in a timely manner can reverse opioid overdoses. This resource summarizes the characteristics of naloxone access laws in 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Legality of Drug Checking Equipment in the United States

Because contaminants, including fentanyl, are now present in the illicit drug supply throughout the U.S., helping people determine what is in the drugs they obtain can be an impactful harm reduction intervention. The easiest and most inexpensive way to accomplish this is often through the use of fentanyl and xylazine test strips. This resource outlines the legality of drug checking equipment in 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Webinar

Network Webinars On-Demand

Recordings of Network webinars on a wide range of critical public health law and policy issues, including access to health care, health equity, vaccination law, drug harm reduction, cross sector data sharing, and health impacts of climate change are available on the Network website.

Worth Sharing

The Network at the 2023 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo
November 12-15, 2023

Visit the Network booth at the 2023 APHA Annual Meeting to learn about our latest resources and initiatives in health equity, climate and health, reproductive health, harm reduction, and public health advocacy.  Network attorney presentations at APHA include:

“Re-Envisioning Public Health Authority Post COVID-19”

November 12
Darlene Briggs

“From Reactive to Proactive: Protecting Public Health Authority and Advancing Health Equity” 

November 13
Darlene Briggs

“Lessons For Post-Roe America from a Global Reproductive Health Provider” 

November 13
Vineeta Gupta and Joanna Suder

“States As Laboratories of Democracy: Reproductive Healthcare in Local Health Departments Post-Dobbs” 

November 13
Joanna Suder, Kathleen Hoke and Vineeta Gupta

“Key Lessons, Best Practices, And Outcomes: A Roadmap for Fellowship Field Sites” 

November 13
Dawn Hunter

"Reproductive Health Care, Litigation, Privacy and Public Health: Updates Post-Dobbs collaborative Session with Law Section"

November 13
Stephen Murphy

Job Opportunities

Western Region Director (Fully Remote)

The Network is seeking a Region Director to provide strategic and organizational leadership for the Network’s Western Region team. This role is responsible for overseeing the Region’s strategic and sustainability planning, day-to-day operations, legal technical assistance, outreach efforts, and product development activities. This is an exciting leadership position for an attorney with public health experience. This position is fully remote. View the full position description and apply.

Communications Manager (Minneapolis or D.C. Metro Area)

The Network seeks a Communications Manager to assist in raising our national profile, engage with our key constituents, expand our reach, and improve our support to communities around the country. The ideal candidate will be social media savvy with excellent verbal and written communication skills and be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment. This position will be responsible for implementing and managing communications campaigns and developing written and creative content. This position is a hybrid/remote position and can be based in Minneapolis, Minnesota or in the D.C. metro area. View the full position description and apply.

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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!

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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