The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) builds on two institutions with deep roots at Northeastern and distinguished records in public health policymaking. The original PHAI was founded in 2002 by faculty at Northeastern University School of Law and at Tufts Medical School Department of Public Health as an independent research and advocacy institute. In 2006, PHAI merged with the 26-year-old Tobacco Control Resource Center (TCRC). PHAI's overall mission is to improve the understanding, commitment and effectiveness of policymakers and lawyers in protecting the public health. PHAI brings its combined decades of experience in public health and law to bear on current issues in public health.

PHAI's current work is focused in two primary areas: Law and Obesity and the Tobacco Control Resource Center.

• The Law and Obesity Project explores the use of the law in slowing obesity and reversing the epidemic of obesity-related diseases and injuries. The project examines the use of litigation, legislation, regulation, and other legal tools in conjunction with public health practitioners and policymakers. PHAI publishes widely in the area, works with policymakers and advocates, and hosts the annual Legal Approaches to the Obesity Epidemic conference. The PHAI annual conference is recognized for bringing together the leading experts and advocates working in law and obesity and testing out cutting-edge strategic ideas.


• The Tobacco Control Resource Center continues its ongoing mission of working to improve the public's health by honing legal strategies to reduce tobacco use and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Formed in 1979, TCRC has unusual depth and breadth of experience in tobacco control issues generally, as well as longstanding and specific expertise in the legal and policy issues relating to tobacco control. TCRCÕs Tobacco Products Liability Project has held 21 annual conferences where many of the strategies for holding the tobacco industry legally accountable were first devised. TCRC provides law and policy analysis and technical assistance to domestic and foreign governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, attorneys involved in tobacco-related litigation and tobacco control advocates. TCRC also promotes public health oriented perspectives in the news media coverage of key law and policy developments affecting tobacco control.

PHAI works closely with the JD/MPH program to provide educational opportunities to students interested in public health and the law. Students may take advanced courses at the law school and participate in the Public Health Law Clinic working closely with PHAI. PHAI also offers independent study opportunities, co-ops and Tufts ALE placement. There are a myriad of opportunities for students to participate in the work of PHAI on current and exciting developments in public health and law.