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| James G. Hodge, Jr., JD, LLM |
James G. Hodge, Jr., JD, LLM, is awarded the Henrik L. Blum Award for his outstanding contributions to the field of public health law, specifically for his leadership as a chief architect and facilitator for the “Turning Point Model State Public Health Act” project, funded by the esteemed Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Over a period of three years, from 1999-2001, Hodge and the “Turning Point Public Health Statute Modernization National Collaborative” created for the first comprehensive model public health law. In these days of increased public health threats of bioterrorism, pandemic flu and chronic disease, and given the fact that while states have broad constitutional powers, they have all over time developed a number of locally drafted, fragmented responses to local aspects of regional or national issues, the rationale for such an undertaking was abundantly clear.
From a health planning perspective, a model public health framework is perhaps the most essential contribution as laws provide the mission, functions, and powers of health agencies, sets standards for their (and their partners’) actions, and safeguard individual rights. This award recognizes the significance of the drafting of this Model Act; more importantly, it celebrates the high degree it has been accepted, embraced and utilized by states. To date, subject matter or specific language of the Model Act has been introduced in whole or part through 79 bills, in 32 states; 37, or about half, of these bills have passed. Moreover, 37 states and territories have passed bills or resolutions, which are closely aligned with the Model Act. The work of creating this Model Act was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and conducted as a part of the activities of the Center for Law and the Public’s Health at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins Universities: a CDC Collaborating Center Promoting Health through Law; and a WHO/PAHO Collaborating Center on Public Health Law and Human Rights. Other key collaborators for the Model Act were Larry Gostin, JD, LLD (Hon); Kristine Gebbie, PhD, FAAN; and Deborah Erickson.