Mechanisms for Advancing Public Health
There are novel and innovative ways that law and policy in different sectors can be used to advance health initiatives. Emerging public health issues like climate adaptation, social determinants of health, and childhood trauma call for new approaches and strategies that leverage law and policy in previously unexplored ways.
Resources
Racial Health Equity Information Session: Call for Applications for Network-Funded Law and Policy Assistance
Legality of Drug Checking Equipment in the United States
Protecting and Improving Local Public Health Authority to Advance Our Collective Health
Six Policies That Advance Mental Health
Texting to Promote Public Health: What Health Departments Should Know About the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
The State of State-level Public Health Advocacy
Racial Equity Interests and Needs Assessment
Medical Debt is a Public Health Crisis
Promoting Health Equity in Communities Affected by Mass Incarceration—Addressing Legal Obstacles to Hiring Formerly Incarcerated Individuals as Community Health Workers
Advancing Equity for all Racial Groups through the Governmental Use of Racial Equity Tools
MICRO-TOOLKIT: Equity Assessment Framework for Public Health Laws and Policies
Innovative Laws and Policies for a Post-Pandemic Public Health System
Spotlight
With the Passage of Its Compliance Date, the HIPAA Final Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy Faces Challenges in the Courts
Amid Mounting Threats to Indoor Air Quality, Policies to Expand Access to Modified Box Fans Can Help
Restricting Education on Race and Racism: Legislative Concerns and Bright Spots
Learn More
A Closer Look at Mechanisms for Advancing Public Health
Increasingly, public health must look at legal and policy mechanisms in other sectors for opportunities that can support efforts to improve and promote health in communities. For example, tax incentives — in the form of tax credits, deductions or exemptions — can be used to support injury prevention measures; addressing climate and health requires examination of energy policy; and tackling mental health issues in school necessitates consideration of training requirements for teachers.
Explore Topics
Related Empowered Public Health System Resources
How we can help
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.
Legal Assistance Library
Explore the Network’s Legal Assistance Library to find answers to commonly asked questions on a variety of public health topics.