A Scan of CDC-Authored Articles on Legal Epidemiology, 2011–2015

Public Health Reports, Vol. 131, No. 6, p. 809-815, November/December 2016

Temple University Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2017-03

21 Pages Posted: 10 Dec 2016 Last revised: 17 Jan 2017

See all articles by Leila Martini

Leila Martini

Public Health Law Research

David Presley

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Public Health Law Research National Program Office

Sarah Klieger

Temple University

Scott Burris

Center for Public Health Law Research, Temple University - James E. Beasley School of Law

Date Written: November 16, 2016

Abstract

Objective: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds and conducts research on legal epidemiology, which is the scientific study of law as a factor in the cause, distribution, and prevention of disease in a population. This study describes the results of a scan of articles authored by CDC staff members to characterize the frequency and key features of articles on legal epidemiology and their distribution across CDC departments and divisions.

Methods: CDC librarians searched an internal repository for journal articles by CDC staff members that were published from January 1, 2011, to May 31, 2015. Researchers at the Public Health Law Research program reviewed and coded the abstracts to produce data on key features of the articles.

Results: We identified 158 CDC-authored articles on legal epidemiology published in 83 journals, most frequently in Preventing Chronic Disease (14 publications), Journal of Public Health Management Practice (10 publications), and Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (nine publications). Most articles concerned the use and impact of law as a deliberate tool of intervention. Thirteen articles addressed the legal infrastructure of public health and three articles assessed the incidental or unintended effects of non-health laws. CDC-authored articles encompassed policymaking, implementation, and impact. Literature reviews and studies mapping laws across multiple jurisdictions comprised one-quarter of all publications. Studies addressed laws at the international, national, state, local, and organizational levels.

Conclusion: CDC staff members contributed at least 158 articles on legal epidemiology to the literature during the study period. Results of the scan can be used to identify opportunities for the agency to better support research, professional development, networking, publication, and tracking of publication in this emerging field.

Suggested Citation

Martini, Leila and Presley, David and Klieger, Sarah and Burris, Scott C., A Scan of CDC-Authored Articles on Legal Epidemiology, 2011–2015 (November 16, 2016). Public Health Reports, Vol. 131, No. 6, p. 809-815, November/December 2016, Temple University Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2017-03, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2882830

Leila Martini

Public Health Law Research ( email )

1719 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
United States

David Presley

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Public Health Law Research National Program Office ( email )

Philadelphia, PA 19122
United States

Sarah Klieger

Temple University ( email )

Philadelphia, PA 19122
United States

Scott C. Burris (Contact Author)

Center for Public Health Law Research, Temple University - James E. Beasley School of Law ( email )

1719 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
United States
215-204-6576 (Phone)
215-204-1185 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.phlr.org

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