This course explores public health law through the lens of current issues in population health. Prescription drug overdose and the zika virus have captured the attention of both policy-makers and the public, as have topics such as gun violence, obesity, access to care, vaccine refusal, medical marijuana, and smoking. We will examine the leading causes of preventable death, disease, and injury, both in and out of the spotlight. Students will analyze the underlying social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to or detract from community health and well-being, as well as legal strategies to address those factors. In the process, the course introduces students to the fundamentals of public health law, including those constitutional, statutory, and administrative laws that empower or mandate government to act to advance community health and those that curtail governmental power to do so. Grading: Letter graded Credits: 2 Offered:
