Legal issues in public health

Authors

Stephanie P. Kowal, University of Alberta, Canada
Tania M. Bubela, University of Alberta, CanadaFollow

Document Type

Book Chapter

Edition

2

ISBN

9780128037089

Editor

Stella R. Quah

Publication (Name of Journal)

International Encyclopedia of Public Health

Department

Office of the Provost

DOI

10.1016/B978-0-12-803678-5.00250-2

Publisher

Elsevier Inc.

City

Oxford

Abstract

Public health law theory enables a nuanced understanding of the role of government in creating the conditions for people to be healthy, the reasonable limits that governments may place on personal freedom to promote the health of the population. It provides a framework in which to understand the legal basis for the enactment and operation of public health laws. Legal issues in public health, including those that drive litigation, occur when misalignments between legislation, regulation, and policy cause legislators or their delegates to misuse (either overstep or underuse/neglect) their powers. We further discuss litigation in public and private law contexts as a powerful tool to advance the interests of public health advocates.

Comments

This work was published before Tania joined Aga Khan University.

Recommended Citation

Kowal, S. P., Bubela, T. M. (2017). Legal issues in public health. International Encyclopedia of Public Health, 384-390.
Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/book_chapters/595