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Law lies at the centre of successful national strategies for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. By law we mean international agreements, national and subnational legislation, regulations and other executive instruments, and decisions of courts and tribunals. However, the vital role of law in global health development is often poorly understood, and eclipsed by other disciplines such as medicine, public health and economics. This paper identifies key areas of intersection between law and noncommunicable diseases, beginning with the role of law as a tool for implementing policies for prevention and control of leading risk factors. We identify actions that the World Health Organization and its partners could take to mobilize the legal workforce, strengthen legal capacity and support effective use of law at the national level. Legal and regulatory actions must move to the centre of national noncommunicable disease action plans. This requires high-level leadership from global and national leaders, enacting evidence-based legislation and building legal capacities. [phrase omitted] [phrase omitted] Le droit est au coeur des strategies nationales efficaces de lutte contre les maladies non transmissibles. Par droit, nous entendons les accords internationaux, les legislations nationales et infranationales, les reglementations et autres instruments executifs, et les decisions des cours et des tribunaux. Cependant, le role vital du droit dans le developpement de la sante a l'echelle mondiale est souvent mal compris, et eclipse par d'autres disciplines telles que la medecine, la sante publique et l'economie. Cet article definit des domaines d'intersection cles entre le droit et les maladies non transmissibles, en commencant par le role du droit en tant qu'outil pour mettre en oeuvre des politiques visant a prevenir et maitriser les principaux facteurs de risque. Nous mettons en evidence des mesures que l'Organisation mondiale de la Sante et ses partenaires pourraient prendre pour mobiliser les professionnels du droit, renforcer les capacites juridiques et soutenir une utilisation efficace du droit au niveau national. Des mesures juridiques et reglementaires doivent etre placees au centre des plans d'action nationaux pour la lutte contre les maladies non transmissibles. Cela necessite un leadership de haut niveau de la part des dirigeants internationaux et nationaux, a travers l'adoption de lois fondees sur des donnees scientifiques et un renforcement des capacites juridiques. [phrase omitted] La ley es la clave del exito de las estrategias nacionales para la prevencion y el control de las enfermedades no contagiosas. Por ley entendemos los acuerdos internacionales, la legislacion nacional y subnacional, los reglamentos y otros instrumentos ejecutivos, asi como las decisiones de los tribunales y las cortes de justicia. Sin embargo, el papel vital de la ley en el desarrollo de la salud mundial a menudo no se comprende bien y se ve eclipsado por otras disciplinas como la medicina, la salud publica y la economia. Este documento identifica las areas clave de interseccion entre la ley y las enfermedades no contagiosas, empezando por el papel de la ley como herramienta para implementar politicas de prevencion y control de los principales factores de riesgo. Se determinan las medidas que la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud y sus asociados podrian adoptar para movilizar al personal legal, fortalecer la capacidad juridica y apoyar el uso eficaz de la legislacion a nivel nacional. Las acciones legales y reglamentarias deben pasar a ser el centro de los planes de accion nacionales para las enfermedades no contagiosas. Esto requiere un liderazgo de alto nivel por parte de los lideres mundiales y nacionales, para promulgar una legislacion basada en pruebas y crear capacidades juridicas., Abstracts in [phrase omitted] Francais, PyccKuu and Espanol at the end of each article. Introduction Noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes, cause an estimated 41 million [...]

Abstract Background In Australia, the food industry and public health groups are locked in serious struggle for regulatory influence over the terms of front-of-pack food labelling. Clear, unambiguous labelling of the nutritional content of pre-packaged foods and of standardized food items sold in chain restaurants is consistent with the prevailing philosophy of 'personal responsibility'. An interpretive, front-of-pack labelling scheme has the capacity to encourage healthier patterns of eating, and to be a catalyst for improvements in the nutritional quality of food products through re-formulation. On the other hand, the strength of opposition of the Australian Food and Grocery Council to 'Traffic Light Labelling', and its efforts to promote a non-interpretive, voluntary scheme, invite the interpretation that the food industry is resistant to any reforms that could destabilise current (unhealthy) purchasing patterns and the revenues they represent. Discussion This article argues that although policies that aim to educate consumers about the nutritional content of food are welcome, they are only one part of a broader basket of policies that are needed to make progress on obesity prevention and public health nutrition. However, to the extent that food labelling has the capacity to inform and empower consumers to make healthier choices - and to be a catalyst for improving the nutritional quality of commercial recipes - it has an important role to play. Furthermore, given the dietary impact of meals eaten in fast food and franchise restaurants, interpretive labelling requirements should not be restricted to pre-packaged foods. Summary Food industry resistance to an interpretive food labelling scheme is an important test for government, and a case study of how self-interest prompts industry to promote weaker, voluntary schemes that pre-empt and undermine progressive public health regulation.

This paper reports on research into the practice of euthanasia amongst Australian health care professionals specialising in HIV/AIDS. It draws on data from thirty-nine semi-structured interviews carried out in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra with physicians, general practitioners, hospital and community nurses, therapists and community workers. Using a qualitative methodology, the study seeks to identify how (illegal) euthanasia is currently practised, the degrees of involvement, the various forms that involvement takes, and the social relations which provide the context for involvement. In this paper we outline three categories of `doers' to illustrate the range of attitudes and practices concerning euthanasia. This `typology' carries a number of implications for recent policy debates over the legalisation of euthanasia. In particular it illustrates, at least within the context of AIDS care, the fragmentation of consensus over euthanasia amongst health care workers, the reality of current illegal euthanasia practices, and the limitations of a prohibitionist policy. While the legalisation of euthanasia within a regulatory framework is sometimes portrayed as an extreme or `radical' response to terminal illness; the data presented in this paper suggest that prohibitionism is also radical in its failure to control euthanasia practice., Introduction In 1995, the Parliament of the Northern Territory enacted the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995 (NT). This legislation attracted worldwide attention as the first statute to actually [...]

Abstract: Background: Smartphones are rapidly changing the way doctors capture and communicate clinical information, particularly in highly visual specialties such as dermatology. An understanding of how and why smartphones are currently used in clinical practice is critical in order to evaluate professional and legal risks, and to formulate policies that enable safe use of mobile technologies for the maximal benefit of practitioners and patients. Methods: Australian dermatologists and dermatology trainees were surveyed on their current practices relating to clinical smartphone use. Results: Of the 105 respondents, 101 provided useable results. The data show clinical smartphone use is common and frequent, with more than 50% of respondents sending and receiving images on their smartphones at least weekly. Clinical photographs were usually sent via multimedia message or email and were commonly stored on smartphones (46%). Security measures adopted to protect data were limited. There was inadequate documentation of consent for transmission of photographs and advice provided. Only 22% of respondents were aware of clear policies in their workplace regarding smartphone use, and a majority desired further education on digital image management. Conclusions: Given the frequency of use and the degree of importance placed on the ability to send and receive clinical images, clinical smartphone use will persist and will likely increase over time. Current practices are insufficient to comply with professional and legal obligations, and increase practitioners’ vulnerability to civil and disciplinary proceedings. Further education, realistic policies and adequate software resources are critical to ensure protection of patients, practitioners and the reputation of the dermatological profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]