Webinar Series

The Public Health Law Webinar Series is a monthly series focused on providing the public health community with practical knowledge on emerging topics. The series is sponsored by American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics; Network for Public Health Law; Public Health Law Association; and Public Health Law Research Program. For dates of upcoming webinars, visit the Network’s Events Calendar.

 



Upcoming Webinars

Injury Prevention through Policy

Session 3 -- Law and Policy Issues in Reducing Firearm Violence

This webinar will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 from 2 - 3 p.m. ET. Register for the webinar.


The Children's Safety Network (CSN) and the Network for Public Health Law jointly launch a new webinar series: "Advancing Injury Prevention through Policy." Four webinars will be held from November 2012 through May 2013. Each session will feature one injury topic and when appropriate, will include an update on which states currently have laws or policies related to that topic, state experience in gaining passage and implementing the law, and the experience of evaluating the effectiveness of the law. Presenters will also discuss the challenges faced by state health department injury prevention staff including prohibitions on involvement in promoting enactment of policies, lack of research on effectiveness of injury prevention laws, lack of funds for implementation of legislation; and, how to work with the opposition.

 

The third session in the series, "Law and Policy Issues in Reducing Firearm Violence," will take a look at laws and policies that are known to reduce levels of firearm-related injuries, whether those injuries were intentional or not.  Presenter Jon S. Vernick, J.D., M.P.H., of the National Public Health Law Center will walk participants through the scope of the problem, practices that are and are not proven to reduce firearm-related injuries and death, and public health law issues, with a special focus on children and teens.

Objectives:

  • The scope of the problem of intentional and unintentional firearm-related injuries among teens and children
  • Best practices, policies and programs for reducing firearm-related injuries
  • Commonly used practices, policies and programs which are not proven to reduce firearm-related injuries and death
  • Challenges in public health law related to firearms and what they mean for practitioners

Environmental Noise: Public Health Effects and Legal Remedies

This webinar will take place on Thursday, June 20, from 1:00 p.m. - 2 p.m. (ET). Register for this webinar.

 

Presenters: Sid Shapiro J.D. (moderator), University Distinguished Chair in Law, Wake Forest University School of Law, Alice S. Suter M.S. Ed, Ph.D., Consultant, formerly of United States Environmental Protection Agency and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, June Weintraub Sc.D., M.S., B.S.C.E., Senior Epidemiologist, San Francisco Department of Public Health, Monica S. Hammer J.D., Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Visiting Attorney, Network for Public Health Law Mid-States Regio

 

Environmental noise can lead to an array of health issues including hearing loss and heart disease. But noise is ubiquitous and comes from a myriad of sources, which limits individuals in their power to lower the levels of dangerous noise at work, school, and on private and public property.

 

This webinar explores why noise is a public health issue, which legal tools may be best suited to lower noise and minimize risk of harm, and what innovations to reduce the harmful effects of noise are currently underway. Presenters will discuss the noise threshold that is considered dangerous, and who is responsible to ensure safe levels of community noise; how federal, state, and local government can use their authority to protect the public from dangerous levels of noise; and which legal tools have the potential to protect public health and ensure civil liberties, such as free speech, are protected.

 

Past Webinars

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Medical Marijuana: Unanticipated Legal Consequences and the Lessons Learned

Listen to and watch the playback for this webinar that took place on Thursday, May 16 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (ET). View the slides for this webinar here.

 

Presenters: Veda Collmer, J.D., Visiting Attorney Fellow, The Network for Public Health Law - Western Region, Ann Hause, J.D., Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Kathleen Hoke, J.D., Director, The Network for Public Health Law - Eastern Region, Clifford M. Rees, J.D., Practice Director, The Network for Public Health Law - Western Region, John Wright, J.D., Assistant Attorney General, State of Michigan Office of Attorney General in the Licensing & Regulation Division

 

 California legalized the use of medical marijuana over a decade ago, and since then 18 states and the District of Columbia have followed suit. State medical marijuana laws differ in the political processes for enactment (state legislature vs. ballot-initiative); statutory protections from criminal sanctions; and drug access (e.g., no legalized access, state regulated dispensaries, home cultivation, or access through designated caregivers). Public health officials are concerned with a variety of unanticipated legal and ethical consequences of the laws, including problems with operating statewide registry and licensing programs, unregulated marijuana dispensaries, lack of employment or disability protection for medical marijuana users, and inappropriate physician recommendations for medical marijuana use. Over time, states have developed new regulations, policies, and amended laws to resolve some problems. Other issues, such as lack of disability protection, cannot be resolved due conflicting federal drug laws, and remain serious barriers for patients.

This webinar will address implementation issues and unanticipated legal, ethical and public health problems with various state medical marijuana laws; provide insights and information about ways state public health officials and attorneys have addressed problems; and provide guidance for states considering medical marijuana legislation or states with existing laws that may be dealing with similar issues. Panelists for this webinar represent state governments and non-profit organizations that have experienced unanticipated public health consequences of legalizing marijuana.

Procurement

Harnessing the Power of Procurement to Improve Food Environments

Listen to and watch the playback for this webinar that took place on Thursday, April 18, from 1 - 2 p.m. (ET). View the slides for this webinar here.

 

Presenters: Kathleen Noonan (moderator), J.D., Co-Director PolicyLab, Dorothy Miller, J.D., M.P.H., Research Scientist, PolicyLab, Quan Dang, J.D., Senior Staff Attorney and Technical Assistance Legal Director, ChangeLab Solutions, Roberta Friedmen, Sc.M., Director of Public Policy and Obesity, Yale Rudd Center.

 

Procurement – the process through which goods are purchased – is a powerful tool that government leaders can use to promote policy and healthy food goals. Many leaders in public health, business and government may not be aware of the opportunities they have to promote policy change through procurement policies and laws. This webinar presents an overview of procurement, including a causal diagram that highlights key points of influence and impact for leaders. Dorothy Miller from PolicyLab will present an overview of procurement and highlights from PolicyLab’s recent research. Quang Dang from ChangeLab Solutions will discuss best contracting practices related to procurement and vending.  Roberta Friedman from the Rudd Center will discuss linkages between procurement and optimal defaults. Kathleen Noonan from PolicyLab will moderate the panel. You may qualify for CLE credit.

 

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Student Network Career Panel

Listen to and watch the playback for this webinar that took place on Wednesday, April 17 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (ET).

 

Four panelists who work in various aspects of the public health law and policy field will present on their experiences and career paths. They will also shed light on a typical day on the job and offer career recommendations for students and new professionals. Panelists will take questions at the end of the presentation.

Panelist:

  • Molly Berkery, J.D., M.P.H., Legal Fellow, Public Health Law Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Swannie Jett, Ph.D., Health Director, Seminole County, Florida
  • Jane Malone, Policy Director, National Center for Healthy Housing
  • Susan Blair Timberlake, J.D., Senior Human Rights and Law Advisor, UNAIDS
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Vehicle Identifier Requirements for Graduated Driver Licensing: A Case Study in New Jersey

Listen to and watch the playback of this webinar that took place on Thursday, March 21 from 1-2 p.m. (ET). View the slides for this webinar here.

 


For decades, many developed countries have required novice drivers to display identifiers (or decals) on the outside of their vehicles so that law enforcement and other drivers know that learner or novice drivers are behind the wheel. In May 2010, New Jersey implemented the first such requirement in the U.S. as part of its Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program.

 

This webinar will:

  • Introduce the international history and rationale behind the use of identifiers to enhance the effectiveness of GDL programs in lowering teen crash rates.
  • Examine New Jersey’s implementation of the new driver decal requirement and the state's efforts related to education, law enforcement and compliance, as well as related legal resistance.
  • Explain the results of a published study on the effect of the decal requirement in the first year of implementation and explore research questions for future study.

 

Presenters:

  • Teresa M Senserrick, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Transport and Road Safety (TARS) Research, The University of New South Wales, Australia
  •  Violet Marrero, Ph.D., Manager of Special Projects, New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety
  •  Allison Curry, Ph.D., Director, Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

 

The Network has partnered with ASLME to offer CLE credits for this webinar. ASLME is an approved provider of continuing legal education credits in several states, and can also apply for CLE credits in other states upon request.

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Paid Sick Days: Exploring the Need, Health Impact and Legal Establishment of Paid Sick Leave

This webinar took place on Thursday, February 21 from 1-2 p.m. (ET). Access the playback here.

 

Presenters:

Vicki Shabo, M.A. J.D., Director of Work and Family Programs, National Partnership for Women and Families, Nick Licata, City Councilmember, Seattle, WA, Abby Asfaw, Ph.D., Senior Service Fellow in the Office of the Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Nearly 40 percent of private-sector employees in the U.S. do not have access to paid sick days, making it difficult for them to miss work when they are ill or have a doctor’s appointment. Those who do stay home often suffer lost wages and risk being fired from their jobs. To avoid financial insecurity, employees often go to work while sick. Paid sick days allow employees to stay home or seek preventive care without risking a family’s income or endangering the health of co-workers, customers and others. Going to work sick can also result in lost productivity and workplace injury. To remedy this problem, some U.S. cities and one state (Connecticut) have enacted laws requiring employers to provide paid sick days. In this webinar, presenters will examine the need for paid sick days, review current laws and campaigns for paid sick day laws, and examine the health implications of access to paid sick days.

 

After the webinar, join us for an online discussion about access to paid sick leave with the Network’s LinkedIn Group. Andy Baker-White, webinar moderator and Associate Director of the Network’s Mid-States Region, will be answering questions and facilitating the discussion. Share your thoughts on paid sick leave and its health implications for Americans.

Injury Prevention through Policy

Session 2 -- Implementation of State Youth Concussion Laws: Perspectives from the Frontlines

Listen to and watch the playback of this webinar. View the powerpint slides here. This webinar took place on Thursday, January 24, 2013.

 

The Children's Safety Network (CSN) and the Network for Public Health Law jointly launch a new webinar series: "Advancing Injury Prevention through Policy." Four webinars will be held from November 2012 through May 2013. Each session will feature one injury topic and when appropriate, will include an update on which states currently have laws or policies related to that topic, state experience in gaining passage and implementing the law, and the experience of evaluating the effectiveness of the law. Presenters will also discuss the challenges faced by state health department injury prevention staff including prohibitions on involvement in promoting enactment of policies, lack of research on effectiveness of injury prevention laws, lack of funds for implementation of legislation; and, how to work with the opposition.

 

The second session in the series, "Implementation of State Youth Concussion Laws: Perspectives from the Frontlines,” will provide an update on states' youth concussion laws, as well as preliminary results from an interview survey with state officials and organizational leaders charged with implementation of these laws in their own states. Also, three presenters with different organizational perspectives will share their experiences in implementing the laws in their states.  Presenters include Kerri McGowan Lowrey, J.D., M.P.H, Deputy Director, The Network for Public Health Law—Eastern Region, University of Maryland Francis Carey School of Law; Carlene Pavlos, M.T.S., Director, Division of Violence and Injury Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health; and Gary Matthews, Executive Director, Alaska School Activities Association. The session moderator is Cindy Rodgers, M.S.P.H., Project Specialist, Children's Safety Network.

Effects of the Election on Future Implementation of the ACA

Listen to and watch the playback for this webinar that was held on January 17, 2013. View the slides for the webinar here.

Presenters: Susan Polan, Ph.D., Associate Executive Director, American Public Health Association, Eli Briggs, M.A., Director of Government Affairs, National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO), Jina Dhillon, J.D., M.P.H., Staff Attorney, National Health Law Program
 

Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010 and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2012, many of its implementing regulations are still being promulgated, and parts of it continue to be attacked. On this webinar, Ms. Dhillon will provide a detailed look at what the Supreme Court decision did and did not do, and describe ongoing lawsuits challenging it. Dr. Polan will provide a broad overview of what the election means for the ACA at the federal level and describe some of the ACA’s initiatives that impact public health. Ms. Briggs will provide a more “on the ground” look at how the ACA is being implemented at the state and local level, as well as suggestions for actions health departments can take in light of its passage and the current political environment.

Injury Prevention through Policy

Session 1 -- Bullying Prevention Legislation: Focus on LGBT Youth

This webinar took place on Thursday, November 15, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. View and listen to playback.

 

The Children's Safety Network (CSN) and the Network for Public Health Law jointly launch a new webinar series: "Advancing Injury Prevention through Policy." Four webinars will be held from November 2012 through May 2013. Each session will feature one injury topic and when appropriate, will include an update on which states currently have laws or policies related to that topic, state experience in gaining passage and implementing the law, and the experience of evaluating the effectiveness of the law. Presenters will also discuss the challenges faced by state health department injury prevention staff including prohibitions on involvement in promoting enactment of policies, lack of research on effectiveness of injury prevention laws, lack of funds for implementation of legislation; and, how to work with the opposition.

 

The first session, "Bullying Prevention Legistlation: Focus on LGBT Youth," will be presented by Cristina Meneses, J.D., M.S., Senior Staff Attorney, The Network, Eastern Region, The University of Maryland Francis Carey School of Law and Ellen Schmidt, Assistant Director, Children's Safety Network, Education Development Center.

Webinar: Student Network Career Panel

Listen to and watch the playback for this webinar. View the slides for the presentations here.

 

Description: Join the Network for Public Health Law as five panelists who work in the public health law/policy field (representing federal/state/local government, private and non-profit sectors) present on their experiences, career paths and recommendations for new professionals. Panelists will take questions at the end of the presentation. 

 

Panelist:

  • Brooke Courtney, J.D., M.P.H. ,Regulatory Counsel ,Office of Counterterrorism and Emerging Threats, U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
  • Julianna Gonen, J.D., Ph.D., Acting Director of Government Relations, Center for Reproductive Rights
  • Carter Headrick, Director of State and Local Obesity Prolicy Initiatives, National Advocacy Department, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
  • Anne Pearson, J.D., M.A., Vice President for Programs, ChangeLab Solutions
  • Eli Tomar, J.D., M.P.H., Associate, Patton Boggs LLP

Take-Home Naloxone for Opioid Overdose: Exploring the Legal, Policy and Practice Landscapes

This webinar was held on Thursday, October 18, 2012. Listen to and watch the playback for this webinar.  View the slides here.

 

Presenters: (Moderator) Damika Webb, J.D., Law Fellow, Center for Health Law Policy and Practice, Temple University Beasley School of Law, Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S.W., Research Scientist, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, and Affiliate Assistant Professor, Health Services, University of Washington School of Public Health, Eliza Wheeler, M.S./M.P.A., DOPE Project Manager, Harm Reduction Coalition, San Francisco,, Corey Davis, J.D., M.S.P.H., Staff Attorney, The Network for Public Health Law – Southeastern Region and National Health Law Program (NHeLP)

 

Fatal drug overdose has increased more than six-fold in the past three decades, and now claims the lives of more than 36,000 Americans every year. Many of these deaths are caused by opioids. Opioid overdose is typically reversible through the timely administration of the drug naloxone. In this webinar, presenters will provide an overview of the history of overdose education and take-home-naloxone distribution programs. The current state of the medical, legal and policy environments that affect these programs will be discussed as well as options for expanding overdose knowledge and take-home-naloxone access in the future.

nutrition

Newborn Screening Webinar Series

When: The series includes six free webinars on the last Thursday of every month from 1-2 p.m. (ET). The series has ended, but playbacks are available. Find details here about each of the webinars.

 

Previous Webinars in the Series: Listen to and watch the April 26 Introduction Webinar, the May 31 Ownership and Control Webinar, the June 28 Protection of Privacy Webinar, the July 26 Protection of Human Research Subjects Webinar, the August 30 Ownership and Control of Research Results Webinar and the Setepmber 27 Summary of Core Issues Webinar.


What: States that store and provide residual dried blood spots (DBS) for secondary uses, or are considering storage and secondary uses, may face an array of legal issues. This webinar series is intended to cover these legal issues – and related ethical and policy issues – concerning secondary uses of DBS and associated data.


Who: This webinar series is intended for public health attorneys, newborn screening programs and laboratories, institutional review boards, HIPAA privacy boards, privacy officers, researchers and others who have interest in legal, ethical and policy issues related to secondary uses of residual DBS.

 

These webinars are jointly presented by the Newborn Screening Translational Network (NBSTRN), the Network for Public Health Law, the National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center (NNSGRC) and the Association for Public Health Laboratories (APHL).

Examining the Impact of Lead Laws on Housing Quality and Children’s Health

Listen to and watch this webinar that took place on Thursday, September 20, 2012 from 1-2 p.m. (ET). Download the slides here.

Presenters: Carla Campbell, M.D., M.S., Associate Teaching Professor, Drexel School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pa., Michael Hanley, J.D., Senior Attorney, Empire Justice Center, Rochester, N.Y., Anita Weinberg, J.D., M.S.S.W., Clinical Professor, Loyola University of Chicago, and Director, ChildLaw Policy Institute, Chicago, Ill.
 
Across the United States, children are being exposed to lead in poor-quality housing, and elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs) are a major environmental problem for U.S. children. Recently, because of concerns about adverse effects of lead exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lowered the blood lead level at which children should receive clinical and public health management, underscoring the need to improve housing inspection and enforcement to find and remove lead hazards in housing. In this webinar, the presenters will offer suggestions for how to structure and pass legislation to prevent children from being poisoned by lead  using  legislation in Illinois as an example, and highlighting other local jurisdictions around the country that have passed laws that have used a variety of “primary prevention” approaches. The presenters will also briefly examine the way Philadelphia has used a specialty lead court to successfully enforce laws regulating this issue.
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Model Aquatic Health Code

Listen to and watch the webinar held Thursday, August 16 from 1-2 p.m. ET.  

 

Presenters: Jasen Kunz, M.P.H., lieutenant commander, United States Public Health Service; and Doug Farquhar, J.D., program director for Environmental Health, National Conference of State Legislatures

 

The Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) is designed to prevent drowning, injuries and the spread of recreational water illnesses at public swimming pools and spas. The presenters will discuss the goals, outcomes and benefits of the MAHC and describe the role public health officials have in implementing this code. Attend the webinar to learn how to implement the MAHC into state and local policy, learn about case studies describing the challenges of introducing the MAHC in various states and understand the long-term campaign to promote the MAHC nationwide. Download the slides for the webinar here. You may qualify for CLE credit.

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The Supreme Court’s Decision on the Constitutionality of the ACA

Listen to and watch the webinar held on July 19. In addition, during the Q & A portion, the presenters referred to a Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments and the Medicaid Expansion Paper that can be accessed here and to a brief filed by several public health organizations that can be accessed here.

 

Presenters: Sarah Somers, J.D., M.P.H., managing attorney, Network for Public Health Law – Southeastern Region and National Health Law Program (NHeLP); Corey Davis, J.D., M.S.P.H., staff attorney, Network for Public Health Law – Southeastern Region and National Health Law Program (NHeLP)

 

In March 2012, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The court considered four questions, including whether the ACA’s individual mandate and Medicaid expansion provisions are constitutional. In a landmark decision on June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled the ACA as constitutional, with the exception that the federal government's power to terminate states' Medicaid funds is narrowly read. In this webinar, the presenters discussed the Supreme Court's decision and its implications for the ACA's reforms to the individual insurance market, the Medicaid expansion and, of course, the future of the ACA's public health-related provisions and the federal funding that goes along with them. In addition, find more resources on the ACA and the Supreme Court decision here

Data Sharing

Toxic Exposures, Emergency Planning and Electronic Health Records: A Sneak Preview of the 2012 Public Health Law Conference

Listen to and watch the webinar held on June 21

 

Presenters: Kathleen Hoke, Dachille, J.D., director, Network for Public Health Law – Eastern Region, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law; Rebecca Polinsky, J.D., research and practice fellow, Public Health Law Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Sharona Hoffman, J.D., LL.M., professor of law and bioethics and co-director of Law-Medicine Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Law

 

The 2012 Public Health Law Conference: Practical Approaches to Critical Challenges will cover a wide range of emerging public health topics. This month’s public health webinar will give a sneak preview into just three of the topics that will be covered in greater depth at the conference, including toxic exposures, emergency planning for vulnerable populations and electronic health records. Ms. Dachille will discuss the policy changes and efforts to reduce toxic exposures, including exposure to secondhand smoke and pesticides in multiunit housing and children’s lead exposure in homes. This topic will have a particular emphasis on public and low-income housing. Ms. Polinsky will present on the characteristics of older adults that make them more vulnerable in an emergency and the legal options to help protect them, as well as touch on the additional vulnerable populations that will be discussed at the conference. Finally, Ms. Hoffman will cover the use of electronic health records (EHR) for public health purposes, as well as the legal and ethical implications of EHR and state and federal perspectives on electronic health information exchange. This is an opportunity for webinar attendees to learn about these important subjects, gain insight into the conference and to ask questions that will help form the speakers’ final presentations. You may qualify for CLE credit.

Data Sharing

Data Surveillance and Data Exchange: A Tool for Comparative Effectiveness

Listen to and watch the webinar held on May 17

 

Presenters: Priscilla Keith, J.D., M.S., Director of Research and Projects and Adjunct Professor, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law; Eleanor D. Kinney, J.D., M.P.H., Professor and Co-Director, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law; and Linda Reddington, B.S.N., R.N., J.D., C.H.P.S.E., Reddington Legal, LLC

 

The advancement of technology in the last ten years has improved the state of health care, and led to the expectation of a more collaborative, synergistic approach to patient care. Federal and state governments have enacted privacy laws to ensure the security and privacy of patient records. Moreover, the public has the expectation that their health records will remain private with the exceptions most noted in the law. However, with the nation moving toward Electronic Health Records; the integration of hospitals, public health and providers; and the outsourcing of medical services to foreign countries, there are several questions including: What are the recent developments in these areas? What are the inherent privacy issues? And, how can it be used as a means for comparative effectiveness for patient care? The presenters in this webinar will speak to the recent developments regarding data exchange and surveillance, explore the inherent privacy issues associated with data exchange and data surveillance and discuss using data exchange and data surveillance as tools for comparative effectiveness.

nutrition

Nutrition as a Winnable Battle

Listen to and watch the webinar held on April 19 

 

Presenters: Jennifer L. Pomeranz, J.D., M.P.H.,  director of legal initiatives, Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, Yale University; Lainie Rutkow, J.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of health policy and management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and senior fellow, Johns Hopkins Center for Law and the Public’s Health; Julie Ralston Aoki, J.D., staff attorney, Public Health Law Center, William Mitchell College of Law

 

The nation is currently facing urgent issues surrounding nutrition. Overweight and obesity rates have skyrocketed and excess weight contributes to many of the leading causes of death in the U.S. In addition, in 2008, overall medical care costs related to obesity for U.S. adults were estimated to be as high as $147 billion. Health disparities play a large role with prices of more healthful foods increasing faster than prices for less healthful foods. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has targeted nutrition, physical activity and obesity as a “winnable battle,” and this webinar will look at how law and policy might play a role in successfully improving nutrition. Topics covered will include sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, nutrition labeling revisions, consumer protection lawsuits, menu labeling, food marketing standards, front of package labeling and sodium reduction strategies. Panelists will discuss areas where public health has succeeded in changing the policy landscape and also discuss past efforts where success is less clear.

health_impact_assessment

Recent Developments in FDA’s Emergency Authority

Listen to and watch this webinar held on March 15. For additional information, read the questions posed by webinar attendees and answers from presenters.

 

Presenters: Elizabeth Sadove, J.D., senior regulatory counsel, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Counterterrorism and Emerging Threats; Brooke Courtney, J.D., M.P.H., regulatory counsel, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Counterterrorism and Emerging Threats; Heather McDowell, J.D., regulatory counsel, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Counterterrorism and Emerging Threats; Moderator: James G. Hodge, Jr., director, Network for Public Health Law - Western Region

 

Medical countermeasures (MCMs), such as drugs, vaccines and diagnostic devices, are often essential components of public health emergency responses. During and in preparation for such emergencies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a critical role in how federal, state and local agencies use MCMs. In this webinar, attorneys from the FDA’s Office of Counterterrorism and Emerging Threats will discuss legal authorities related to MCMs. They will focus on Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) and recent EUA activities, including doxycycline mass dispensing and the National Postal Model, as well as shelf-life extension of stockpiled MCMs, preemption and more. Presenters will also discuss the potential impact of the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) on FDA’s emergency authority and on federal, state and local MCM preparedness and response efforts.

health_impact_assessment

Learning More about Health Impact Assessments

Listen to and watch the webinar held on February 16, 2012

 

Presenters: Aaron Wernham, M.D., director, Health Impact Project; Harmony Gmazel, M.S., land use planner, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, Lansing, Michigan; Erin Fuse Brown, J.D., M.P.H., deputy director, the Network's Western Region at Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law


Health impact assessments (HIAs) bring together scientific data, health expertise and public input to identify the potential—and often overlooked—health effects of proposed laws, regulations, projects and programs. HIAs provide decision makers with the information they need to advance smarter policies to help build safe, healthy, thriving communities. This webinar provided a basic overview of HIAs; examined the development of an innovative HIA tool; and explored the legal authority authorizing, supporting or prohibiting HIAs. The Great Lakes Public Health Coalition provided special support for this webinar.

Gun Laws

Gun Violence, Mental Illness and Firearms Laws: Research Evidence and Questions for Science, Policy and Practice

Listen to and watch the webinar held on January 26, 2012

 

Presenters: Jeffrey Swanson, Ph.D., Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine; Paul S. Appelbaum, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine and Law, Columbia University; Michael Luo, Investigative Reporter, The New York Times; Joshua Horwitz, J.D., Executive Director, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

 

This webinar discusses the problem of gun violence in the U.S.—its prevalence, causes and potential legal and policy approaches to reduce the problem. The webinar focuses on what is known about the contribution of mental illness to violence and considers the implications of this (somewhat ambiguous) research literature for laws that seek to limit firearms access for people with mental disorders who may pose a danger. The presentation discusses research findings on whether current federal and state firearms restrictions reduce gun violence, and lays out an agenda for needed future research. 

Future of Primary Care Webinar

Future of Primary Care: The Changing Role of the Primary Care Provider

Listen to and watch this webinar held on November 17, 2011

 

Presenters: Corey Davis, J.D., M.S.P.H, Staff Attorney, Network for Public Health Law–Southeastern Region; Tine Hansen-Turton, J.D., M.G.A., CEO, National Nursing Centers Consortium; and Julie Fairman, R.N., Ph.D., F.A.A.N., Director, Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

The benefits of accessible and high quality primary care are profound for individual and population health. By enabling early diagnosis and treatment of health risks and disease, primary care saves lives and results in more efficient use of resources. Despite the importance of primary care, access to primary care remains strikingly inadequate. A common problem is the scarcity of primary care providers. One potential intervention is to authorize nurse practitioners to provide primary care – a departure from the traditional model. This webinar will introduce evidence on the role of nurse practitioners as primary care providers; touch on issues of quality, cost and access; and discuss the current differences of related state laws. You may qualify for CLE credit.

Distracted Driving Laws: Where are we? Where should we be going?

Listen to and watch this webinar held on October 20, 2011

 

Driver distraction is a major cause of automobile accidents in the United State. At a fast pace, states are enacting laws that limit driving and the use of mobile communications devices (MCDs). These laws vary by the type of communication activities and categories of driver that they regulate, as well as by enforcement and punishments.

 

This webinar will discuss the scope of the problem, the nature of the risks, the evolution of state laws and the apparent divergence between the existing evidence about the problem and the laws. The webinar will end with a period of discussion in which participants can ask questions of the presenters.

State Public Reporting Laws of Healthcare-Associated Infections

Listen to and watch the webinar held on September 22, 2011. Click here to view the slides only.

 

Presenters: Julie Reagan, Ph.D., J.D., M.P.H., attorney and healthcare consultant, HAI Focus; and Rick Hogan, J.D., M.P.H., general counsel, Arkansas Department of Health

 

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections acquired by patients during the course of receiving medical care for some other condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 out of every 20 hospitalized patients will contract an HAI. The majority of U.S. states have responded by enacting HAI public reporting laws. This webinar provides a review of U.S. state and territorial HAI laws, the most common legal provisions and the role of the federal government, as well as a case example of Arkansas.

Legal and Political Aspects of Public Health Agency Accreditation

Listen to and watch the webinar held on August 18, 2011. Click here to view the slides only.

Presenters: Les Beitsch M.D., J.D., associate dean, Division of Health Affairs, Florida State University College of Medicine; Gene W. Matthews, J.D., director, Network for Public Health Law – Southeastern Region; Martie Ross, J.D., partner, Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP.
 
Health agency accreditation has the potential to provide significant assistance to health departments currently facing serious economic and political challenges. The accreditation process is also an important opportunity for public health professionals to engage community stakeholders. This webinar provides insight into the legal and political implications of the national voluntary public health department accreditation program, which launched on September 14, 2011 by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). Presenters discuss how accreditation can identify the potential changes underway in health department legal structures; observations on the PHAB launch; lessons from recent research on the topic; and the Kansas experience as a case study. 


Concussions and Youth Sports: Can the Law Help Prevent Injury?

Listen to and watch the webinar held on July 28, 2011.

 

Presenters: Kerri McGowan Lowrey, J.D., M.P.H.; Daniel G. Larriviere, M.D., J.D.; Hosea H. Harvey, Ph.D., J.D.; and moderator, Evan Anderson, J.D.

 

Every year, almost half a million children visit emergency departments for head injuries, many of which are due to sports-related concussions. In the late 1990s, national sports leagues began instituting concussion policies for testing, treatment and return to play. However, many schools and local youth sports organizations have not followed suit. This webinar discusses the physiology of concussions in young athletes; various legislative approaches to address concussions in youth sports; implications in rural and poorer communities; and other legal innovations to address the problem.

Health Reform’s Impact on Comparative Effectiveness and Public Health Outcomes: Something Old Becomes New Again

Listen to and watch the webinar held on June 16, 2011.

 

Presenters: Eleanor D. Kinney, J.D., M.P.H., Professor and Co-Director, William S. and Christine S. Hall Center for Law and Health, Indiana University School of Law; Priscilla Keith, J.D., M.S., Director of Research and Projects and Adjunct Professor, William S. and Christine S. Hall Center for Law and Health, Indiana University School of Law; and moderator, Daniel M. Fox, A.B., A.M, Ph.D., president emeritus, Milbank Memorial Fund

 

Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) helps the medical and public health community make informed decisions that result in better health outcomes. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) supports the development of CER by authorizing the Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute. The purpose of the Institute is to improve health outcomes by developing and disseminating research about the effectiveness of different treatments and medicines. In addition, CER compares the health outcomes of different medical treatments. The question as this new initiative moves forward is: How will the era of health reform impact public health outcomes? This webinar investigates this question.

Fracking – Is It Just a Dirty Word?: Environmental and Public Health Considerations of Hydrofracturing

Listen to and watch the webinar held on May 19, 2011.

 

Presenters: Josh Fox, filmmaker of documentary on fracking, “Gasland”; Avner Vengosh, Ph.D, M.S., Professor, Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University; and John Quigley, M.P.A., principal, John H Quigley LLC

 

Hyrofracturing, or “fracking,” is a process for removing natural gas from rock formations deep beneath the earth’s surface. New approaches to fracking are raising significant questions about the process’ risk to human and environmental health. Public health and environmental advocates are urging policy-makers to prohibit fracking until the impact is fully evaluated. Several states have considered, and some have passed, legislation regulating fracking or imposing a moratorium during a period of study. This webinar examines the health hazards of fracking, related public health policies and the reactions of the public health community.

The ACA: What It Means for Local Health Departments

Listen to and watch the webinar held on April 21, 2011. (Please note: There is a brief pause between 8:55 to 11:35 due to technical difficulties.)

Presenter: Patrick Libbey, Public Health Consultant
 
Following up on February’s webinar that provided an overview of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) population health provisions and current litigation, April’s webinar examines the challenges and opportunities of ACA implementation for local health departments. Former NACCHO Executive Director Patrick Libbey, along with Peter Jacobson, present during this hour-long webinar. Libbey has 28 years of local public health experience, including local health department experience as the director of the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department in Olympia, WA. (This webinar is not designed for CLE credits.)


Role of the State Attorneys General in Public Health

Listen to and watch the webinar held on March 17, 2011.

Presenters: Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel; Lainie Rutkow, Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Julie Ralston Aoki, Staff Attorney, Public Health Law Center
 
State Attorneys General, as chief legal officers of their state, can take a wide range of actions on behalf of the state or the public interest. The Attorneys General have successfully confronted public health issues such as end-of-life care, tobacco control, Medicaid fraud, hospital mergers, food labeling, firearms regulation and pharmaceutical marketing. Assistant attorneys general are also often involved in providing day-to-day legal advice and representation to state health departments and officials. In this webinar, three panelists look at recent successful actions by the state Attorneys General and explore other avenues and powers that the Attorneys General might utilize to address public health issues.


Public Health Provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

View the slides from the webinar held on February 24, 2011: Peter D. Jacobson Presentation Slides (PDF) Sarah Somers Presentation Slides (PDF)

Presenters: Peter D. Jacobson, J.D., M.P.H., President, Public Health Law Association (PHLA) and Professor of Health Law and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health; and Sarah Somers, J.D., Senior Attorney, Network for Public Health Law - Southeastern Region
 
This webinar examines the public health/population health provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA); discusses the ACA’s limitations for public health; and provides an overview of the litigation challenging the constitutionality of the individual mandate as the requirement for individuals to purchase health insurance is the core of the constitutional challenges now heading to the U.S. Supreme Court.