It is always a pleasure to showcase one of our co-bloggers!
Professor Jennifer Bard was featured recently by Public Health Newswirein a piece that explains the effects of public health law, the intersection betweenpublic health law and public health agencies, her exciting new research and the future of health law.
APHA member Jennifer Bard, JD, PhD, MPH, was recently selected for the Scholars in Residence Program, an initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and administered by the Network for Public Health Law to advance RWJF’s over-all mission of improving both the health of everyone in America and their health care—how it’s delivered, how it’s paid for, and how well it does for patients and their families. It is designed specifically for law professors to apply their expertise by assisting state, local or national public health agencies in tackling critical issues. One of six scholars chosen for the distinguished fellowship, Bard will work with local health officials in Lubbock, Texas, to explore legal options to address bed bugs. Learn more about her work and the opportunities that exist for the law to improve public health.
How has law improved public health over the past decade?
A number of new federal laws over the past decade are starting to contribute enormously to improving the public’s health. One example is the new food safety laws. Another is finally extending the FDA’s jurisdiction to include tobacco. As another example, some of the most dramatic improvements in public health have come from changes in laws regarding waste disposal.
What are some pressing public health concerns where the law can play a significant role?