PUBLIC HEALTH LAW
(LAWI-4280) - 2 UNITS

This two-credit seminar will examine the role of the law in protecting public health. It will begin by covering the conceptual foundations of public health law in the United States and examining how the law confers statutory and regulatory powers on federal, state, and local governments to protect the health of the population. It will also focus on the role of judges, lawyers, scientists, health care providers, and public health practitioners, and map their contributions to the development and adoption of legal reforms and interventions.

Students will engage with public health law by analyzing emerging issues. For instance, students will learn about social determinants of health and racism as a public health crisis and engage with how the law exacerbates health inequities. Other topics may include substance use and addiction, vaccination policy, and reproductive health care. Over the course of the semester, students will produce a research paper and develop a range of problem-solving, policy analysis, research, writing, and advocacy skills.

Pass/Fail:
No

Prerequisites:
None