The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39994

Wendy K. Mariner, JD, MPH, Professor of Health Law, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, 617 638-4626, wmariner@bu.edu

Bioterorism deliberately threatens people on US soil with disease, raising questions of both national security and local disease prevention. State efforts to prevent bioterrorism include ordinary disease surveillance measures that are possible without emergency legal powers, but may require emergency authority to respond to a crisis. This presentation examines which law applies in which circumstance to guide public health professionals. It also compares the advantage and disadvantages of (a) general emergency powers and (b) detailed legislation defining specific powers for emergencies.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

• Identify federal and state powers to protect public health from threats of disease and threats to national security.
• Evaluate existing state powers to prevent the spread of disease from bioterrorism.
• Assess the need for changes in the law to respond to bioterrorism.

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Public Health Legislation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.