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Regionalization in Local Public Health Systems: Public Health Preparedness in the Washington Metropolitan Area

This article examines case studies of regional preparedness structures in the Washington metro area to understand how they have been organized, implemented and governed, as well as to assess their likely impact on public health preparedness and public health systems generally. It reports on increased public health activities in the area since 9/11 and their […]

Regionalization of Local Public Health Systems in the Era of Preparedness

This article briefly examines the lessons learned from regionalization for police and fire services, and draws comparisons to public health. It includes case studies to highlight examples of regionalization outcomes related to networking, coordination, standardization, and centralization of public health services. Available online: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18348711?dopt=Abstract Koh, H.K., Elqura, L.J., Judge, C.M., & Stoto, M.A. (2008). Regionalization […]

Measuring the authority of local public health directors in the context of organizational structure: An exploratory, multimodal approach

This article examines the relationship between organizational structure and authority of local public health directors based on data collected from Minnesota local health directors. It illustrates that emerging practice-based research networks can successfully collaborate on small-scale research projects with immediate application for systems development. Study findings are reportedly being used by local public health officials […]

Reorganizations of health agencies by local government in American urban centers: What do they portend for “public health”?

This article from the 1970’s identifies the longstanding efforts to reform through reorganization of public health departments and public hospitals without addressing the underlying problems of an eroded tax base, an indifferent federal policy, and intra-professional disputes. Available online: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/327345

Public Health Legal Preparedness in Indian Country

This article provides an evidence base for understanding existing tribal health law. It discusses deficiencies in the scope and integration of tribal health laws and recommends ways to strengthen tribal public health legal preparedness. Available online: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19150897 Bryan, R. T., Schaefer, R. M., DeBruyn, L., & Stier, D. D. (2009). Public health legal preparedness in […]

Legal Issues Concerning Identifiable Health Data Sharing Between State/Local Public Health Authorities and Tribal Epidemiology Centers in Selected U.S. Jurisdictions

This article reviews the state-specific laws in seven selected states which authorize or limit the sharing of identifiable public health data between state public health authorities and Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs) for lawful public health activities conducted by TECs. It addresses potential legal and policy privacy issues and solutions related to data-sharing practices.

Patrick Libbey Q&A: Sharing Across Public Health Department Jurisdictions

This article provides an overview of the work of the Center for Sharing Public Health Services. In a question and answer session with Center’s Co-Director Patrick Libbey, the article examines the reasons for the growth of shared public health service arrangements and the spectrum of arrangements, potential benefits in cost-efficiencies and improved service capabilities and […]