Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Quantification and Whole Genome Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater and Air Samples
Published on: June 30, 2023
The scientific basis for law as a public health tool
Anthony D Moulton1, Shawna L Mercer, Tanja Popovic
1Public Health Law Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS D-30, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. tmoulton@cdc.gov
Abstract:
Systematic reviews are generating valuable scientific knowledge about the impact of public health laws, but this knowledge is not readily accessible to policy makers. We identified 65 systematic reviews of studies on the effectiveness of 52 public health laws: 27 of those laws were found effective, 23 had insufficient evidence to judge effectiveness, 1 was harmful, and 1 was found to be ineffective. This is a valuable, scientific foundation-that uses the highest relevant standard of evidence-for the role of law as a public health tool. Additional primary studies and systematic reviews are needed to address significant gaps in knowledge about the laws' public health impact, as are energetic, sustained initiatives to make the findings available to public policy makers.
More Related Videos
06:54Enhanced Extraction of Low-Molecular Weight DNA from Wastewater for Comprehensive Assessment of Antimicrobial Resistance
Published on: July 19, 2024
07:50A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts
Published on: September 20, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Sources of Law
Constitutional law is foundational, deriving from federal and state constitutions, and...
Scientific Laws and Theories
Criteria for Causality: Bradford Hill Criteria - II
Models, Theories, and Laws
Introduction to Epidemiology
Principles of Disease Surveillance