State attorneys general have a track record of health advocacy. The existing jurisdiction of attorneys general in the area of public health is broad and often underutilized. Although there are attorneys general willing and anxious to help, existing health initiatives too often continue to proceed without the benefit of the voice and the leverage that attorneys general obviously bring. State attorneys general are extraordinary voices for the public good, and it is important to maximize their advocacy on behalf of our nation’s health.
The Health Law Initiative of the National State Attorneys General Program at Columbia Law School has recently been created to provide resources to AGs, academics and students as they consider the role of Attorneys General in health advocacy and enforcement. In addition to web resources, academic articles and press and news releases, the Health Law Initiative will be holding speaker panels, small conferences and events on campus in the coming months. Please check back for updates!
Background information:
"The Scientific Basis for Law as a Public Health Tool." Anthony D. Moulton, PhD, Shawna L. Mercer, PhD, Tanja Popovic, MD, PhD, F(AAM), AM(AAFS), Peter A. Briss, MD, MPH, Richard A. Goodman, MD, JD, MPH, Melisa L. Thombley, JD, Robert A. Hahn, PhD, MPH, and Daniel M. Fox, PhD
This overview examines the effectiveness of different kinds of interventional public health laws and in doing so offers guideposts for policy makers and establishes a scientific basis for law as a public health tool.
The 2005 Chief Deputy Attorney General for Colorado and2005 state public administrator for the Michigan Attorney General discuss the role of State AGs in handling health emergencies.
