COVID-19 and Health Equity
Disparate health outcomes due to social and structural barriers have long existed, mostly impacting people of color, people with disabilities, low-income people, and people with less education. These disparities have received renewed attention as the same groups of people are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Living conditions, work circumstances, underlying health conditions, and systemic issues in health care and public health all affect the vulnerability of communities, and especially communities of color. This collection of resources and tools is designed to address legal and policy issues that contribute to health inequity, grouped by different social or political determinants of health.
Resources
Legal Repercussions of Public Health Emergency Rescissions
WIC: Lessons Learned from COVID-19
2021 Public Health Law Conference Preview Webinar: Equitable COVID-19 Recovery
Equitable Rebuilding from COVID-19: Strengthening Protections for Communities
COVID-19 Illustrates Need to Close the Digital Divide
Equitable Rebuilding from COVID-19: Strengthening Protections for Families
Equitable Rebuilding from COVID-19: Ensuring Quality Care for Vulnerable Populations
COVID-19 Policy Playbook II: Legal Recommendations for a Safer, More Equitable Future
Declarations of Racism as a Public Health Crisis: Utilizing Declarations to Address Health Inequities
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution: Legal Issues and Challenges
Election 2020: Public Health Legal Reforms and Projections
2020 Election: Public Health on the Ballot
Spotlight
From Dust Bowl to Green Heart: How Trees and Policy Can Shape Public Health
Healing Across Generations: Addressing the Impact of Intergenerational Trauma Through Policy Interventions
Liability Protections for Food Donation Help Address Food Insecurity and Food Waste
Learn More
Real-time assistance for questions related to COVID-19 response
The Network can assist local, county, tribal and state health agencies with timely guidance, resources and information critical to key COVID-19 response measures, particularly in the areas of:
- public health authority and emergency powers,
- constitutionality of practices,
- health data privacy,
- protections for disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals,
- crisis standards of care, and
- ethical decision making.
Want our help?
Eastern Region Office
The Eastern Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Injury Prevention and Safety
» Environmental Public Health
» Food Safety
- Contact an Eastern Region Law & Policy Expert
Kathi Hoke Director (410) 706-1294
khoke@networkforphl.orgMegan Griest Chief of Staff (410) 706-0584
mgriest@networkforphl.orgKerri McGowan
LowreyDeputy Director & Director
of Grants & Research(410) 706-5994
klowrey@networkforphl.orgMathew Swinburne Associate Director (410) 706-4532
mswinburne@networkforphl.org
Mid-States Region Office
The Mid-States Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Health Information Data Sharing
» Public Health Statutes and Regulatory Information
- Contact a Mid-States Region Law & Policy Expert
Denise Chrysler Director (734) 647-1316
dchrysler@networkforphl.orgPeter D. Jacobson Co-Director Jennifer Bernstein Deputy Director (734) 764-6772
jbernstein@networkforphl.orgColleen Healy Boufides Deputy Director (734) 764-2089
chealyboufides@networkforphl.orgSallie Milam Deputy Director (952) 452-9700
smilam@networkforphl.org
Northern Region Office
The Northern Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Mental Health and Well-Being
» Rural Health Equity
» Climate Resilience
- Contact a Northern Region Law & Policy Expert
Jill Krueger Director (952) 452-9705
jkrueger@networkforphl.orgBetsy Lawton Senior Staff Attorney (952) 452-9697
blawton@networkforphl.org
Southeastern Region Office
The Southeastern Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Drug Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction
» Health Reform
» Maternal and Child Health
» Public Health Agency Structure, Organization and Accreditation
» Messaging
- Contact a Southeastern Region Law & Policy Expert
Gene Matthews Director (734) 647-1316
gmatthews@networkforphl.orgJane Perkins Senior Attorney (919) 260-4303
jperkins@networkforphl.orgSarah Somers Managing Director (919) 968-6308 Ext. 102
ssomers@networkforphl.orgCorey Davis Deputy Director (310) 736-1657
cdavis@networkforphl.orgAmy Lieberman Senior Attorney (952) 500-9105
alieberman@networkforphl.org
Western Region Office
The Western Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Emergency Legal Preparedness and Response
» Immunization
- Contact a Western Region Law & Policy Expert
James G. Hodge, Jr. Director (480) 727-8576
jhodge@networkforphl.orgApril Shaw Staff Attorney (480) 727-2091
ashaw@networkforphl.orgLeila Barraza Consultant (480) 965-9741
lbarraza@networkforphl.org
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Legal Research and Assistance
Experienced legal experts are available to answer questions and provide research, analysis and guidance. Let us know what you’re working on and together we can figure out how we can help.