Open AccessThe Unique Authority of State and Local Health Departments to Address Obesity
Author(s) -
Jennifer L. Pomeranz
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2010.300023
Subject(s) - agency (philosophy) , public health , state (computer science) , government (linguistics) , local government , obesity , business , value (mathematics) , process (computing) , public administration , environmental health , public relations , health policy , political science , medicine , nursing , sociology , computer science , social science , linguistics , philosophy , algorithm , machine learning , operating system
The United States has 51 state health departments and thousands of local health agencies. Their size, structure, and authority differ, but they all possess unique abilities to address obesity. Because they are responsible for public health, they can take various steps themselves and can coordinate efforts with other agencies to further health in all policy domains. I describe the value of health agencies' rule-making authority and clarify this process through 2 case studies involving menu-labeling regulations. I detail rule-making procedures and examine the legal and practical limitations on agency activity. Health departments have many options to effect change in the incidence of obesity but need the support of other government entities and officials.