Public health laws are statutes and regulations that promote, protect or improve the public’s health and safety. These laws create and govern public health agencies, and regulate the actions of private individuals and business in the interests of the public’s health. Protecting the nation’s food supply and requiring vaccines to prevent the spread of contagious diseases are examples of public health laws.

Public Health Law & Policy has had extensive experience in helping develop public health laws, including those that ban smoking in public places or zoning laws that require sidewalks, parks and playgrounds to increase healthy opportunities for physical activity. Through our RWJF-funded NPLAN program, PHLP applies our vast experience in helping using law and policy to improve the public health to support the childhood obesity prevention movement.