This study finds that foodborne illness rates decreased by 22 percent after implementation of the paid sick leave law in jurisdictions with laws more supportive of employees taking leave, but increased in jurisdictions with laws that are less supportive.
This study reviewed changes to laws permitting ‘syringe exchanges’ and the provision of public funding for such programs, and finds that most of the changes in law occurred during the 1990s, five to 10 years later than in many other countries.
University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Center for Public Health Practice
Chyongchiou Jeng Lin, PhD •
University of Pittsburgh
The study, published in the Journal of the National Medical Association, examines the relationship between state laws regulating flu vaccines for health care workers and the state-level immunization rates among health care workers between 2001-2011. Laws mandating flu vaccines for health care workers increase their vaccination rates, according to a new study.
Tracking of infectious diseases is a public health core function essential to disease prevention and control. Each state mandates reporting of certain infectious diseases to public health authorities. These laws vary by state, and the variation could affect the ability to collect critical information.
The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic served as a case study to examine the legal authority in the 50 states; Washington, DC; and New York City for mandatory infectious disease reporting, particularly for influenza and new or emerging infectious diseases.
This LawAtlas map offers details on whether a state has laws requiring access to free STD treatment services. It also includes whether the law prohibits a patient from being billed or whether a third party may be billed.
This LawAtlas map provides information about the states where health care professionals who provide free services are immune from civil liability, and whether the immunity is limited to state employees. It also provides information about how a provider could lose their immunity.
This LawAtlas map provides information about the state laws and regulations that dictate how, when and to what extent a health department may intervene when communicable diseases appear in their jurisdiction.
The study examined how non-medical exemption laws for vaccines required for school or daycare entry impact the incidence rates for the five diseases targeted by the vaccines, and finds that increased levels of vaccinations could reduce whooping cough cases, but did not have a statistically significant impact on the average incidence for measles, mumps, Hib and Hepatitis B.
Public reporting of healthcare-associated infections is pervasive, with 33 states and the District of Columbia mandating public disclosure. The authors surveyed hospital epidemiologists on the perceived value of state public reports. Respondents believed consumers are unaware and do not consider the information important, but they indicated that epidemiologists have a role in consumer education.
