Susan Fleurant, J.D., M.P.H., is a staff attorney for the Network for Public Health Law’s Mid-States Region. She is a former Equal Justice Works Fellow. Susan assists public health attorneys, practitioners, and advocates to use law to protect the public’s health by providing legal technical assistance, training, and practical tools. Before joining the Network, she practiced disability rights law. Susan received her law degree and Master of Public Health in Health Management and Policy from the University of Michigan and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Colby College. She is admitted to practice law in Minnesota.

Articles & Resources

Advancing the Social Determinants of Health—The Private Sector Community Benefits Movement

WebinarsMechanisms for Advancing Health EquityMechanisms for Advancing Public Health

April 28, 2025
by Phyllis Jeden and Susan Fleurant

Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) are agreements between companies implementing development projects and community coalitions who aim to procure benefits for their communities, like local hiring requirements and affordable housing. Join us to learn about this growing movement, how it connects to public health, and how it has already helped to advance the social determinants of health.

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What States Can Do to Fill the Gap in Health Care Access for Immigrant Communities

Law & Policy InsightsMechanisms for Advancing Health EquityMechanisms for Advancing Public HealthMedicaidTelehealth

April 11, 2025
by Susan Fleurant

Immigration status is a social determinant of health and the structural factor with the most direct impact on the health outcomes of immigrants is access to health care. Refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities in the United States, on average, have lower rates of health insurance, face increased barriers to care, and receive lower quality of care than U.S.-born populations. However, there are actions that states can take through federal programs, but also outside of federally funded programs, to improve access to care.

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AI, Reproductive Health Data Among Key Issues for Data Privacy Officers Peer Group: 2024 Year in Review

Law & Policy InsightsHealth Information and Data Sharing

January 23, 2025
by Susan Fleurant

The Network’s Privacy Officer Peer Group convenes privacy officers from public health agencies to provide peer support and share resources. Each year, the Network hosts quarterly Peer Group Learning Sessions on topics relevant to the work of privacy officers in public health. The four sessions held in 2024 addressed a range of issues relevant to privacy officers and provided opportunities for group discussion.

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Cybersecurity Awareness Month Resources for Covered Entities

Law & Policy InsightsMechanisms for Advancing Public HealthHealth Information and Data Sharing

November 14, 2024
by Susan Fleurant

Entities covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act are often targets of cybersecurity attacks. The Department of Health and Human Services  Office for Civil Rights reported that from 2019 to 2023, breach reports affecting over 500 individuals involving hacking have increased by 89 percent and those involving ransomware have increased 102 percent. In February 2024, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a comprehensive cybersecurity resource guide on implementing the Security Rule along with a list of cybersecurity resources for HIPAA-regulated entities.

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­HIPAA Final Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy

Fact SheetHealth Information and Data SharingReproductive Health and Equity 

July 23, 2024
by Charles Curran and Susan Fleurant

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights issued a Final Rule, effective June 25, 2024, to strengthen privacy protections under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for protected health information (PHI) related to reproductive health care of an individual. This resource highlights the changes outlined in the rule and the considerations for health departments.

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Six Policies That Advance Mental Health

Policy BriefMental Health and Well-BeingMechanisms for Advancing Public HealthMechanisms for Advancing Health Equity

June 3, 2024
by Amy Lieberman, April Shaw, Ashleigh Dennis, Darlene Huang Briggs, Emma Kaeser, Jill Krueger, Joanna S. Suder and Susan Fleurant

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Network attorneys and staff have identified six key policies with the potential to significantly improve mental health outcomes across the United States. This policy brief covers a wide range of areas focused on communities and those who work to support communities. It is designed as a practical resource for public health professionals, leaders, and partners, offering strategies to enhance mental health and well-being while reducing disparities in mental health care.

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