Important Documents, Best Practices & Helpful Resources

Great Lakes Border Health Initiative's Data Sharing Agreement (2009) 
The legal guideline developed by GLBHI for sharing health information across borders (both interstate and international communications) based on the World Health Organization's International Health Regulations while respecting the individual GLBHI states'/province's data sharing laws.

Great Lakes Border Health Initiative's Infectious Disease Emergency Communications Guideline (2009) 
A reference utilized by GLBHI members in order to facilitate emergency communications between states/provinces.

Great Lakes Border Health Initiative's Reportable Disease Directory 
A reference document which lists all diseases which are currently reportable in each of the participating GLBHI jurisdictions.

Great Lakes Border Health Initiative Jurisdiction Website Addresses of Immediately Notifiable Diseases 
This document provides the links to each GLBHI jurisdiction's website where their most current immediately notifiable disease listings are available.

Great Lakes Border Health Initiative Marketing Snapshot 
A four-page brochure that visually explains GLBHI, and can be used to share information with potential and non-GLBHI partners about the Initiative.

Great Lakes Border Health Initiative Overview PowerPoint 
A slideshow presentation with a general program overview that can be used by GLBHI partners in promoting the Initiative.

World Health Organization's International Health Regulations (IHRs) 
The new International Health Regulations (2005), which took effect on June 15, 2007, are a public health landmark for the World Health Organization (WHO) and its Member States. The global community has a new legal framework to better manage its collective defenses against acute public health risks that can spread internationally and have devastating impacts on human health as well as unnecessary negative interference on trade and travel.

An Information Exchange Program Evaluation: Canadians Enrolled on Epi-X in 2007 
Initial summary of the Epi X - CNPHI PHA information exchange program between the GLBHI states and the province of Ontario.

BEST PRACTICES 

GLBHI Case Studies 
Infectious disease events and other border health-related activities involving GLBHI partners are documented. These can be used to provide examples as to how the initiative works, successes of GLBHI communications and collaborations, and for marketing purposes.

CDC Public Health Law Program 
Established in 2000, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Public Health Law Program, located in the Office of the Chief of Public Health Practice in the CDC Office of the Director, seeks to improve the health of the public through law.

Mutual Aid Agreements 
This site contains resources such as a menu of suggested provisions for public health mutual aid agreements.

Development of Public Health Memorandums of Understanding - A How-To Guide 
Developed in late 2007 by public health attorneys and officials representing U.S. federal, state, and local governments, Canadian federal and provincial entities, and Tribes in partnership with the CDC's Public Health Law Program and the Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER), this document can be used as a guideline to develop local and state/provincial memorandums of understanding. 

Sample Memorandum of Understanding between a Local Health Department and Tribal Health Services 
A sample Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) provided by Wisconsin's Ashland County Health Department and Bad River Health Services. 

Sample Operational Plan for Moving Emergency Medical Services Staff and Resources Across the Washington and British Columbia Border 
The purpose of this plan is to establish a process for the timely and efficient movement and use of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff and resources across the Washington and British Columbia border in the event of a declared emergency following a catastrophic event or a localized Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) that overwhelms the EMS capacity of a border jurisdiction. 

RESOURCES 

CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response Website 
The CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response website is CDC's primary source of information and resources for preparing for and responding to public health emergencies. Search for phrases such as "cross-border" and "border health."

Epi-X Forum site (requires a digital certificate)
A file- and informational-sharing site for use by GLBHI partners, who have requested and received access to the site.