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The new public health litigation
1Northeastern University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. w.parmet@nunet.neu.edu
Annual Review of Public Health
|July 8, 2000
Summary
Litigation is increasingly used as a public health tool to influence policies on issues like tobacco and gun violence. While not always successful, legal action can deter harmful activities and advance public health goals.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Law
- Health Policy Analysis
Background:
- Litigation is emerging as a significant tool for public health policy development.
- Legal actions have targeted critical public health issues such as tobacco use, gun violence, and lead paint exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the increasing use of litigation as a public health intervention.
- To discuss the criticisms associated with employing litigation for public health policy.
- To evaluate the effectiveness and role of litigation in public health advocacy.
Main Methods:
- This article provides a discussion and critical analysis of the use of litigation in public health.
- It reviews historical and contemporary legal cases impacting public health.
Main Results:
- Litigation has been employed to advance public health policies in various domains.
- Criticisms exist regarding the use of the judicial system for public health policy formulation.
Conclusions:
- Litigation can serve as a valuable, albeit imperfect, instrument in public health.
- It possesses the potential to deter dangerous practices and significantly contribute to public health advancements.
- Legal strategies play a role in the broader socio-political efforts to improve public health outcomes.