Public Health Law - Article Analysis



Public Health Law - Article Analysis

Introduction

The aim of this paper is to discuss on the public health care function that is principally addressed by the author in the article by Gostin (2010). The paper would present one or two examples of how this core function of public health law is used in public health. Additionally, the paper would summarize the main points of each of the five essential characteristics of the article. Finally, in conclusion it would be reviewed whether the author's position is right or wrong and why.

Discussion

The author of the article, Gostin, define the concept of public health law as a study of the legal duties and powers of the state. This has to be done, assuring provisions of conditions that help people lead healthy lives. This may include objectives such as identifying, preventing, and ameliorating risks to health in the population. Further public health law has marked limitations of power for the state. This leads towards the state constraining the proprietary, liberty and autonomy or other legal interests of members of the society; for their protection and to promote communities health. Gostin argues that the theory of public health law serves functions of delineating the conceptual boundaries of the law's role in public health.

Five Essential Characteristics

The theory purported by Gostin distinguishes five vital characteristics of evaluating public health regulations.

Demonstrate Risk

Here the author believes that the population faces threats from different sources such as physical, chemical, viruses and human activity. People also encounter problems such as the embarrassment to seek out help, and discrimination. Risk is a wide, complicated concept and there is a need to asses the risk.. The government should account for these factors, and evaluate the risk on a case basis. The step is effective but not practical ...