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Network for Public Health Law
Webinars Public Health AuthorityMechanisms for Advancing Public HealthAct for Public Health

Protecting and Improving Local Public Health Authority to Advance Our Collective Health

by Darlene Huang Briggs

Overview

July 11, 2024 | 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. CT

Attend this webinar to hear from your colleagues about the spectrum of efforts across local public health to protect and improve the legal authority of governmental public health to advance the public’s health and health equity. These efforts span years, and in some cases, were activated or accelerated following either the murder of George Floyd or increased backlash against fundamental public health authorities and services during the COVID-19 pandemic, or both. They provide an opportunity to reflect on, and perhaps redefine the role of, local public health authority to advance our collective health.

Additional Materials

LocalPublicHealthAuthority_NPHL_7-11-24Download

Health departments across the country are the “backbone” of the U.S. public health system. Local health departments in particular serve as the front line for both the delivery of basic public health services and public health emergency response efforts. Additionally, as the governmental unit closest to communities, local public health is especially well positioned to engage, understand, and address the unique health needs of its diverse communities.  

By attending this webinar, you will:

  • Obtain an overview of attempts to both limit and improve public health authority as tracked by Act for Public Health.
  • Explore the National Association of County and City Health Officials’ (NACCHO) recently-released Public Health Authority Policy Statement.
  • Learn about:
    • Collaborative local public health system improvements as a result of statewide public health system transformation, including the rollout of new funding for community-based organizations in Oregon.
    • Statewide advocacy in North Carolina on behalf of local public health in COVID-era litigation against the state health department.
    • Commercial tobacco control efforts to protect local control and prioritize health and racial equity.
  • Understand the importance of preserving and improving public health authority.

Speakers:

  • Geoffrey Mwaungulu, Jr., Director for Public Health Law and Policy, NACCHO
  • Sarah Lochner, Executive Director, Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials
  • Patrick Brown, Executive Director, North Carolina Public Health Collaboration
  • Joelle Lester, Executive Director, Public Health Law Center

Moderator: Darlene Huang Briggs, Deputy Director of Special Projects, Network for Public Health Law

You may qualify for CLE credit. ASLME is an approved provider of continuing legal education credits in several states ASLME will also apply for CLE credits in other states upon request. An email from ASLME regarding CLE credits will be sent to attendees following the webinar.