Legal Powers Vested by State Legislatures to Local Boards of Health and Their Perception/Misrepresentation

Document Type

Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2015

Abstract or Description

Objective: To compare the powers vested to local boards of health by state legislatures and their actual perception/misperception by local boards of health officials.

Study Design: In the first phase, we tabulated/ mapped 50 United States on the basis of budgetary, human resources, regulatory, and enforcement powers, as perceived/answered by the local board of health officials of respective states in a 2011 survey. This survey further included important information like demographics; composition and organizational structure; roles, responsibilities and authorities; telecommunications infrastructure; and concerns and needs of local boards of health.

In the second phase, we conducted a review of legal documentations and statutes of various states to determine the legal powers vested upon local boards of health by respective state legislature.

Using the data from the 2011 survey, we selected ten states with the highest response rate, and compared the information generated in both the phases.

Results: The study is underway (expected to complete before the health symposium).

Public Health Implications: Local boards of health are the most understudied entities in public health systems and services research. They have a great potential to increase the quality of public health and rendition of many essential public health services. This study is focused to bring local boards of health under discussion. Moreover, any difference in the perceived and vested powers to local boards of health will result in loss of efficiency in delivering public health services. The study will also suggest the need for the officials of local boards of health to be educated enough to carry out public health services efficiently and in a constitutionally correct manner.

Sponsorship/Conference/Institution

Georgia Southern University Research Symposium

Location

Statesboro, GA

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