The New Public Health Law: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Practice and Advocacy

Public health law isn’t just for lawyers. Or at least it doesn’t have to be.

Originally published in 2018, The New Public Health Law was the first textbook to arm lawyers and public health professionals of any background with the tools to fully exploit the potential of law to improve public health. This refreshed second edition furthers the transdisciplinary approach of the first edition with key updates to case law and evolving legal changes in response to COVID-19 and structural racism.

Suitable for courses in public health, law, and social work, this helpful guidebook offers straightforward chapters that move through the life cycle of public health law practice and legal epidemiology from policy development and advocacy to enforcement and evaluation. It breaks down complex legal processes into discrete and understandable stages with case studies across a wide range of health subjects including chronic disease prevention, injuries and violence, maternal and child health, infectious disease preparedness and response, and food and drug safety.

Supported by an online teacher’s guide and written for readers of any background, The New Public Health Law, Second Edition is an indispensable roadmap for the difficult work of crafting and improving public health law.