Oral

Local health departments are powerful public health actors, and many have felt the negative effects of shrinking budgets and lack of political will. This session will describe the legal authority of local health departments and describe various legal approaches (e.g., intergovernmental cooperation, collaboration) that local health departments can take to addressing these problems and getting important work done.

Session Objectives: Describe many ways in which the law is a powerful tool for local health departments. Explain the authority of local health departments, as well as some legal barriers commonly faced. Discuss ways such legal barriers can be mitigated.