MidAmerica Public Health Law Emergency Response Committee Launches Resource Website for Professional

Site supports legal preparedness for pandemics, terrorism and other public health priorities

[ClickPress, Wed Oct 11 2006] The nonprofit MidAmerica Public Health Law Emergency Response Committee has launched a new website as a source of topical information for public health professionals, attorneys, journalists, businesses, emergency response organizations and the public.

The new website http://www.PHELegalResponse.org is maintained by the Committee as a public service.

“This website is a gateway to fundamental information and resources which will help people understand the major issues, responsibilities and expertise that often apply in public health crisis,” said Committee Chairman David J. Massa.

“It shows links to public health, legal and disaster preparedness resources from many different organizations, some not necessarily affiliated with the Committee,” he said.

Expert presentations posted on the website are among those delivered at the milestone conference “Are You Ready? Public Health Emergencies and the Law” attended by public health authorities, attorneys, military, government and business executives from across the U.S. May 18-20, 2006 in St. Louis.

“Potential threats of pandemics, terrorist acts and natural catastrophe are continuing concerns for public health officials in every level of government and for businesses, hospitals, schools and families,” Mr. Massa said. “This website is designed to encourage dialogues and productive understanding of the issues.”

The Committee supports legal preparedness in the public health system to address pandemics, terrorism and other public health priorities. It promotes continuing education in legal and health communities and works to strengthen relationships among legal and health professionals, government officials and law enforcement agencies.

Its members have included officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the American Bar Association Health Law Section; and Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. Supporters include state bar associations in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Saint Louis University School of Law and Saint Louis University School of Public Health Institute for Biosecurity.

Mr. Massa is an adjunct professor at the Saint Louis University School of Law (http://law.slu.edu/faculty/adjunct.html) where he teaches a seminar on Bioterrorism, Homeland Security and Public Health, and a partner with the law firm of Gallop, Johnson & Neuman (http://www.gjn.com).

For more information about the MidAmerica Public Health Law Emergency Response Committee, please contact Mr. Massa by phone at 001.314.615.6207 or via email at DJMassa@gjn.com.

Committee media contact: Jeff Dunlap at 001.314.993.6925 or JMD@PowerlinePR.com.
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