by: Priscilla Gonzalez
posted on Friday, April 20, 2012
Everyone needs easy access to healthy, affordable food. Yet this basic point is getting lost in recent media coverage of new research that questions the existence of food deserts and their potential relationship to obesity.
Tags: built environment, food access, food deserts, food swamps, obesity, public health
by: Pamela Mejia
posted on Monday, April 16, 2012
In its latest article about alcohol abuse and related health issues on the Pine Ridge Reservation, the Times highlights the role of industry in perpetuating such abuse. Industry contributions to members of a key legislative committee may have hobbled efforts to limit sales in areas prone to alcohol-related crime.
Tags: alcohol, health equity, Oglala Sioux, Pine Ridge reservation, Whiteclay
by: Pamela Mejia
posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012
News coverage of a study that links the risk of autism to obesity during pregnancy frames the issue primarily as it relates to expecting mothers’ eating and exercise habits. It largely ignores the social, cultural, and environmental factors that contribute to obesity.
Tags: autism, children's health, media, obesity, public health, women's health
by: Pamela Mejia
posted on Monday, April 09, 2012
A groundbreaking program would guarantee all OUSD students access to primary health care and prevention services. The effort represents a long-term investment in the health of students, and Oakland as a whole. It also gives the media an opportunity to open a dialogue about health equity.
Tags: health care, health equity, Oakland Unified School District, prevention
by: Pamela Mejia
posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
A New York Times article of a lawsuit involving South Dakota’s Oglala Sioux and beer manufacturers, distributors, and sellers largely ignores the role of major brewers who the tribe allege have knowingly promoted alcoholism on their land, where alcohol is illegal.
Tags: alcohol, equity, Oglala Sioux, public health, Whiteclay
by: Andrew Cheyne
posted on Monday, March 19, 2012
As we approach World Water Day on March 22, the United Nations reminds us that water is a human right. Their message challenges the long-standing privitization of water. Yet having a strong message is only half the battle in achieving equitable access to clean, affordable water. Taking action is critical too.
Tags: equity, soda, target marketing, water security, world water day
by: Pamela Mejia
posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Alcohol companies have long targeted communities of color with harmful products. Now, one group has stepped up its efforts to fight back. After 10+ years of battling exploitation, the Oglala Sioux are suing brewers for promoting alcohol abuse among the tribe.
Tags: alcohol, health equity, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, social justice, Whiteclay
by: Andrew Cheyne
posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Following Food Network star Paula Deen’s announcment that she has Type-2 diabetes, fans have rallied behind her in support. But the arguments that they — and Deen herself — are using to defend her promotion of high-calorie foods are eerily similar to the industry rhetoric used to defend another Southern product: tobacco.
Tags: diabetes, food and beverage marketing, obesity, paula deen, public health, tobacco
by: Priscilla Gonzalez
posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
At a time when obesity has reached epidemic proportions, food and beverage companies continue to heavily target the environments that young Latino and African Americans live in with fatty and sugary foods. New research briefs from Salud America! expand our understanding of industry tactics.
Tags: built environment, food and beverage marketing, obesity prevention, public health, target marketing
by: Ingrid Daffner Krasnow
posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2012
A national “nurse-in” organized to push retailers to protect women’s right to breastfeed in public has captured media attention. Coverage of the events illuminates some widespread barriers that keep women from breastfeeding in spite of its known health benefits and in spite of women’s desire to do so.
Tags: breastfeeding, equity, public health