The high cost of prison phone calls: Advocates show who really pays
In the midst of the holiday season, advocates are putting a focus on families front and center in their push to reform an unfair and incredibly expensive prison phone call system. Read more >Laura...
View ArticleCan we prevent another Sandy Hook?
Will the nation's grief and outrage over the Newtown, Conn., shooting finally translate into action to prevent future violence? Or will momentum fade as it did following similar tragedies? A trend...
View ArticleThe year in public health: Looking back on hard-won progress, looking ahead...
2012 was a big year for public health. We saw advances in everything from nutrition to violence prevention to the media's coverage of these issues. What progress will we see in 2013?Heather Gehlertread...
View ArticleAdvocates bulking up for the next battle with Big Soda
Will Californians see 14 new soda tax proposals by 2014? Proponents of a soda tax took a bruising last November, but their defeat has only emboldened them to come back and fight even harder. Read more...
View ArticleHow Big Food is targeting my toddler
As a media researcher, I spend my days analyzing the food industry's marketing of junk to children, so I'm uniquely aware of their insidious tactics. But now, as my daughter approaches age 2 and the...
View ArticleBehind Coca-Cola's ties to NAACP
When news broke of NAACP’s recent decision to accept funds from Coke and help fight portion size limits in New York City, many in public health were quick to scold the civil rights group. But there's...
View ArticleBig Food and Big Tobacco take the long view and so should advocates
To create a favorable political climate and protect their profits, both the food and tobacco industries have devised ways to anticipate -- and counter -- threats. Their tactics, often hidden from the...
View ArticleWhat's stopping California's moms from breastfeeding in the hospital?
Most expectant mothers enter the hospital wanting to breastfeed their babies but leave not doing so. A new California bill would help remove some of the obstacles that are making it hard for many moms...
View ArticleMedia advocacy then and now: An advocate reflects on 20 years of using the...
How is media advocacy the same and how has it changed in the 20 years since BMSG opened its doors? Our former deputy director, Katie Woodruff, looks back on the evolution and shows what keeps advocates...
View ArticleFrom me to us: Taking racism from the individual to the structural
Using language that moves racism from a personal issue to a structural one is key to showing how policy changes can benefit entire populations. But what does this mean for those who have experienced...
View ArticleHow I learned to love Twitter: A media advocate's story of success over Big...
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Chile. An advocate explains how she leveraged Twitter to help enact Chile's new indoor smoking ban, one of the most advanced tobacco control...
View Article#StandForAdvocacy: How social media helped Wendy Davis in the fight for...
The Texas senator's marathon filibuster to block the most restrictive abortion bill in the country was hanging by a thread in the eleventh hour. The bill's fate came down to support from advocates and...
View ArticlePutting kids' health at risk: How distorted media coverage is undermining a...
As students head back to school, many are missing out on a vaccination that could protect them from a lifetime of health problems. Why the HPV vaccine is being underutilized in the U.S., in spite of...
View ArticleThree ingredients for social change that every advocate should know
Being an advocate often means working toward transformative social change in the face of great odds. When a challenge seems too big and we feel discouraged at the thought of tackling it, here are a few...
View ArticleUsing media advocacy in public health policy campaigns
How can advocates use the media to advance their policy goals? At this year's meeting of the American Public Health Association, BMSG's Pamela Mejia will discuss media advocacy as a way to shape...
View ArticleHow personal responsibility arguments help industries avoid regulation:...
Food industry strategies for deflecting criticism are strikingly similar to those once used by Big Tobacco. At this year's APHA, BMSG will share research findings on parallels between the industries...
View ArticleFood marketing to kids: Real progress requires better protections
Many companies have promised to improve their nutrition standards for the foods they market to kids, yet they still spend $5 million a day targeting children with foods they should avoid. If progress...
View ArticleMedia advocacy strategy for soda tax measures: Preparing for tough questions
As more soda tax measures hit the ballot, the beverage industry has become increasingly fierce in fomenting opposition. How should advocates respond to questions about government intervention and other...
View Article7 things advocates should know when communicating about health equity
Making the case for a society that supports health for everyone is easier said than done, even for the most seasoned public health advocates. Here are some tips to help ensure that the messages we use...
View ArticleTop 10 public health media bites of 2013
The way the media portray an issue influences how we think about and act on it. Throughout the year, advocates have used memorable media bites to help shape the news, challenge people to think about...
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