Legal Aspects of Public Health Emergencies

Source: EMR-ISAC

The Northwest Center for Public Health Practice (NWCPHP) has a new free online course focused on the uncertainties and restrictions of public health legal issues during emergencies. “Legal Aspects of Public Health Emergency Preparedness” provides a summary of legal matters to think about when managing public health and healthcare services in an emergency situation.

During emergencies, public health agencies need to know what powers public health officials will have, when they can request assistance from other jurisdictions, and how they will handle volunteers. This course is for public health workers and attorneys who work with emergency preparedness programs.

Participants will learn:

  • How to identify legal authority at different levels of government;
  • Understand potential or actual legal powers, responsibilities, and risks during declared emergencies
  • Describe legal questions relating to medical or public health volunteers.


The NWCPHP offers many other courses, webinars, and trainings on their web site.