Public Health :: Conference to focus on public health emergencies and the law

Public health officials throughout Missouri will gather next week to learn more about their roles and responsibilities during a public health emergency.

The Missouri Public Health Law Conference, hosted by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services? Center for Local Public Health Services, is set for March 20 in Columbia.

The conference will focus on the legal powers of local public health boards, administrators and other officials when responding to emergencies that could impact the public?s health. The conference will also examine the roles of federal, state and local law enforcement and hospitals during a public health emergency.

“In these times of emerging infectious diseases and growing threats of terrorism, an understanding of the legal authority public health professionals may use during a crisis has become an absolute necessity,? said Jane Drummond, Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services. ?It?s vital that public health and law enforcement officials have a clear understanding of their roles and how they can work together to keep people safe.?

Conference speakers include representatives from the state health department, Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism, Missouri Hospital Association, BJC HealthCare Risk Services, Cole County Sheriff?s Office and several county health departments.

?We encourage public health officials across Missouri to attend this important conference,? said Anne Locke, director of the Center for Local Public Health Services ?We believe it will help better prepare our state should a public health emergency occur.?

The conference is being sponsored by:

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services? Center for Local Public Health Services and Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism
St. Louis University School of Public Health?s Heartland Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Heartland Public Health Education and Training Center
Missouri Association of Local Public Health Agencies

More information about the conference can be found at: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/LPHA/ConferenceBrochure.pdf


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