The Network for Public Health Law (NPHL) has issued four new public health resources that can be read and accessed below.

Guidance For Journalists Reporting On How The U.S. Public Health System Is Changing

At Health Journalism 2025, a panel featuring Network for Public Health Law Co-Executive Director Quang ("Q") Dang, offered guidance for reporting on changes in the U.S. public health system.  Panelists emphasized the often-overlooked role of public health, from water safety to emergency preparedness, and raised concerns about federal funding cuts, staff reductions, and restructuring within HHS that may weaken the system.  They encouraged journalists to highlight the real-world impact of service disruptions, include voices from local health departments and affected communities, and track shifts in state and federal roles.

Act for Public Health Briefing: Federal Actions & LGBTQ+ Communities

In this third in a series of Briefings from Act for Public Health, of which the Network is a partner, Wesley Hartman, senior attorney at ChangeLab Solutions, and Christy Mallory, Roberta A. Conroy Interim Executive Director and legal director at the Williams Institute, shared an overview of executive orders attacking LGBTQ+ communities and explained the impacts of other federal actions, such as cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.  They also discussed legal challenges to many of these actions, along with strategies to help public health practitioners navigate the federal landscape.  You can view the recording here and learn more about the Act for Public Health Briefings here.

U.S. Funding Cuts and Their Impact Worldwide: Insights from the Harm Reduction International Conference

At the end of April, harm reductionists from across the globe came together in Bogota, Colombia to attend the Harm Reduction International Conference.  The impacts of U.S. funding cuts to international harm reduction programs and the continued negative effects of the “War on Drugs” have many in the harm reduction field alarmed.

Public Health Authority Dataset

This Collection from the Center for Public Health Law Research includes datasets that capture laws and policies related to the authority to act for the public’s health.  The datasets in this collection provide an overview of laws that limit, expand, or reallocate the authority of a governor, state health agency, or state health official to act during emergencies and otherwise.