Abstract

This paper provides an overview of recent US Department of Health and Human Services initiatives and efforts — under the leadership of the General Counsel, the Secretary, and the President — regarding legal preparedness for public health emergencies. In addressing this topic, the paper focuses on four core elements comprising public health legal preparedness:effective legal authorities to support necessary public health activities;competencies of public health professionals to know and then to apply those laws;coordination of the application of laws across jurisdictions and across multiple sectors; andinformation and best practices in public health law.