The law as a determining factor in improving our health

The coronavirus pandemic has shown us the many ways laws and regulations can have an impact on our health and our everyday lives: from mandatory quarantines and contact tracing apps, to the availability of vaccines and access to treatment - law is at the heart of all of these health interventions. And where these two fields intersect, a tension can frequently arise between individual rights and the best provision of care. The UvA's new Law Centre for Health & Life (LCHL) aims to generate knowledge through research into the balance in society between health, law and the living environment. 'Health law and policy needs to be responsive to some of the major health and life challenges of our time. For example, how can we ensure artificial intelligence and tele-health both improve our healthcare and respect our rights? And how can we prevent or mitigate common health threats, such as antimicrobial resistance and climate change? It is our aim to help build a better understanding of how the law can be used as a force for improving citizens' health,' explains Anniek de Ruijter, associate professor of Health Law and Policy. De Ruijter will head the LCHL together with co-directors Johan Legemaate, professor of Health Law, and Katrina Perehudoff, senior research fellow. Cutting across disciplines.