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Gakh M, Sunshine G, Limeres A, Rutkow L. Governors' Use of Executive Orders and Proclamations in Hurricane Response, 2006-2018. Health Secur 2020; 18:489-495. [PMID: 33326332 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2020.0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hurricanes can destroy or overwhelm communities and cause or exacerbate health conditions. Legal mechanisms and practices may aid or impede hurricane response. In the United States, where states have primary public health responsibility, state governors possess legal powers to address hurricanes. They often exercise these powers using executive orders and proclamations-legal mechanisms that direct public and private parties. Although executive orders and proclamations are critical for hurricane preparedness and response, how governors use them to respond to hurricanes is not fully understood. Using legal epidemiology, we systematically identified and analyzed hurricane-related executive orders and proclamations issued in the United States from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2018. We found 468 relevant executive orders and proclamations, 14% of which were issued, at least in part, to benefit a jurisdiction other than the issuer's state. We observed variations in when and where such orders and proclamations were issued. Executive orders and proclamations were most commonly used to direct government response or recovery (32%), handle and administer government resources (31%), and suspend legal requirements perceived to inhibit response (27%). Fewer orders and proclamations regulated private parties (10%). Understanding how governors use executive orders and proclamations to respond to hurricanes can bolster future preparedness and response efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Gakh
- Maxim Gakh, JD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV. Gregory Sunshine, JD, is a Public Health Analyst, Public Health Law Program, Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support; and Alexa Limeres, JD, is a Public Health Analyst, Office of Science, Office of Scientific Integrity; both at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lainie Rutkow, JD, PhD, MPH, is a Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Gregory Sunshine
- Maxim Gakh, JD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV. Gregory Sunshine, JD, is a Public Health Analyst, Public Health Law Program, Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support; and Alexa Limeres, JD, is a Public Health Analyst, Office of Science, Office of Scientific Integrity; both at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lainie Rutkow, JD, PhD, MPH, is a Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Alexa Limeres
- Maxim Gakh, JD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV. Gregory Sunshine, JD, is a Public Health Analyst, Public Health Law Program, Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support; and Alexa Limeres, JD, is a Public Health Analyst, Office of Science, Office of Scientific Integrity; both at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lainie Rutkow, JD, PhD, MPH, is a Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Lainie Rutkow
- Maxim Gakh, JD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV. Gregory Sunshine, JD, is a Public Health Analyst, Public Health Law Program, Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support; and Alexa Limeres, JD, is a Public Health Analyst, Office of Science, Office of Scientific Integrity; both at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lainie Rutkow, JD, PhD, MPH, is a Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
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