Case Study / Interview Study

Public health law research usually focuses on the substantive laws that effect health, not the accompanying funding laws. This study addresses a question that permeates public health law research: does the source and/or type of funding, not just the amount of funding, impact health outcomes? In 44 of Ohio's 88 counties, there is a dedicated local levy that provides flexible local child welfare funding. In 18 of the 88 counties, there was a IV-E waiver to provide flexible federal funding. The project analyzes 10 years of county level data provided by Public Children's Services Association of Ohio. Findings will identify key elements of successful funding strategies that may be adopted in other jurisdictions to improve outcomes for children in state care and thereby improve the mental health of children who have experienced state care.

The aims of this study are to assess: (1) whether state reporting laws for novel H1N1 influenza and emerging infections impact the ability of public health to collect data elements on individual cases, (2) whether state reporting laws for novel H1N1 influenza and emerging infections impact the ability of public health to develop recommendations for disease prevention, control, and treatment, and (3) the effect of “home rule” in a state’s infectious disease reporting structure on the state’s ability to develop such recommendations. The research team will conduct mapping and implementation studies by collecting data in three areas: legal authority, epidemiologic data collected on novel H1N1 influenza cases, and CDC and state recommendations. Methods will include an inventory of each state’s reporting laws/structure for emerging infections and interviews with state officials. Findings have the potential to impact law, public health policy, and epidemiology. Infectious disease reporting is the foundation for public health’s core functions in infectious disease prevention and control. Novel H1N1 influenza provides a critical example of the difference in states’ ability to promptly gather relevant data on a disease of national importance. This study has great public health significance because it is extremely important to understand the role law played in the differences among states. Law is a potentially modifiable factor and policymakers may choose to improve state laws if value is demonstrated. By addressing the proposed questions, we hope to assess the public health benefit/detriment of differing state authorities for reporting. Findings may impact policy by showing the effect of reporting laws on public health response and suggesting modifications to disease reporting laws that states may want to adopt.

This study examines the policies and structures of local and state health departments, and how they impact public health. The study will focus on the structural arrangements of the local boards of health (such as whether the boards of health are elected or appointed) and the level of state health department centralization, and how they affect performance, fiscal health, innovation, collaboration, and strategic planning. In addition to contributing to the ongoing dialogue regarding health department accreditation, this study will provide a road map for policy makers, planners, administrators and individual citizens for years to come.

Drug overdose deaths have surpassed traffic fatalities in Washington State and 15 other states. This study will examine the legal intent, implementation and outcomes of a new Washington state law to support intervening in drug overdoses. The law includes a Good Samaritan component that provides legal immunity from drug possession charges for people who overdose or seek aid for another person’s overdose. It also allows the prescribing of an opioid antidote medicine (Naloxone) to drug users and their partners. Evaluation will be conducted on the development of the legislation and the impact of the law on Seattle area heroin users, bystanders, and police during overdoses as well as the impacts on community health outcomes.

• Visit Caleb Banta-Green's faculty page at the University of Washington.
• Additional resources may be accessed at the project's website: http://stopoverdose.org/resources.htm