7.H. Round table: Legal determinants of health - what do (global) public health professionals need to know?
Authors:   Organised by: EUPHA-LAW, EUPHA-GH, EUPHA-HWR, EUPHAnxt,   Chair persons: Regien Biesma (Netherlands), Ellen Kuhlmann (EUPHA-HWR)
Published: October 2023

Public health and legal systems have different objectives and operate under different frameworks, which can create challenges for public health professionals who need to implement policies and interventions that are legally sound. While public health seeks to promote and protect the health of the population, the legal system focuses on protecting individual rights and ensuring justice is served. One major challenge is that public health interventions can sometimes conflict with individual rights, such as privacy or freedom of movement. Another challenge is the complexity of the legal system. Public health professionals may not have the legal expertise or resources to navigate the legal system. To address these challenges, it is important for public health professionals to collaborate with legal experts and policymakers. As recognised in the 2019 Lancet-O'Neill Institute Commission on Global Health and Law, such collaboration helps to develop effective and legally sound public health policies and interventions to address the legal determinants of health and promote global health and sustainable development. Moreover, there is a growing recognition of the importance of interdisciplinary training for professionals in both law and public health. Law and public health schools are increasingly offering joint degree programs or courses that address the intersection of law and public health. This can help to build a workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively address public health issues within the legal framework. The WHO-ASPHER Competency Framework for the Public Health Workforce in the European Region was published in 2020 encompassing competencies in law and regulations. This Round Table aims to raise awareness of the importance of legal policies and practices to promote public health outcomes, and collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches, to address health-related legal issues. The three short presentations will be followed by a discussion between the panellists and participation of the audience. First, the legal determinants of health will be addressed, including the human rights dimensions, and examine the impact legislative and regulatory frameworks and jurisprudence have on the enjoyment of the right of health. Second, legal epidemiology will be discussed as an important and innovative approach to understand the complex relationships between legal policies, social determinants of health, and health outcomes, and how it works to guide policy development, advocacy, implementation and accountability for impact. Third, the importance of incorporating legal education into public health training programs is highlighted. Examples of practical measures to incorporate this information and build these skills in the training of public health professionals will be discussed.

Key messages

• Understanding legal determinants of health is crucial for (global) health professionals in addressing health inequities and improving health outcomes for individuals and populations.

• Interdisciplinary structures are needed in which law and health work together and schools of public health are an excellent vehicle for bridging the gap.

Speakers/Panelists

Brigit Toebes

University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands

Scott Burris

Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, USA

Kasia Czabanowska

Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

Monica Brînzac

EUPHAnxt