Our History

BMSG was founded in 1993 in Berkeley, California, by Lawrence Wallack, DrPH, then-professor of public health at the University of California at Berkeley, and Lori Dorfman, DrPH, then a graduate student at the School of Public Health. Wallack, now dean of the College of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University and U.C. Berkeley professor emeritus, and Dorfman, now BMSG's director, founded the nonprofit to help public health professionals and community groups become more savvy about using the power of the media to advance public health. 

BMSG is celebrating its 20th anniversary! Read more >

Since 1993, BMSG has worked with organizations on a range of issues, including violence and injury prevention, alcohol, tobacco, children's health, child care, affirmative action, food and activity environments, health inequities and sexually transmitted diseases. We have published numerous case studies, research papers, books, and media advocacy training curricula. We have come to be known as a leading public health media advocacy organization in the United States.

BMSG is a project of the Public Health Institute. The Public Health Institute (PHI) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health, well-being and quality of life for people throughout California, across the nation, and around the world. PHI houses a variety of local, statewide, national and international public health research and education projects.