publications

BMSG's issue series

Issue 21: Two communities, two debates: News coverage of soda tax proposals in Richmond and El Monte

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

In 2012, the California cities of Richmond and El Monte made headlines when they asked voters to consider taxing soda and other sugary drinks. Wanting to avoid a regulatory precedent, the soda industry spent $4 million to oppose the ballot measures, which ultimately failed. In this news analysis, we explore how the tax proposals were portrayed in the news, what arguments were made both for and against them, and what this means for public health advocates looking to regulate sugary beverages in other communities.

Video: Beyond sound bites: The role of power in communication

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Values are an important part of communicating, but where do they come from and how are they created? Who gets to matter in public conversations, and how can advocates make their voices more powerful? In this talk, a part of BMSG’s 20th anniversary series, Praxis Project Executive Director Makani Themba discusses the role of institutional actors in producing values and encourages advocates to get involved in that process. She urges us to move beyond fleeting sound bites and develop a deeper communication strategy ‰— one that addresses power imbalances and puts advocates in front of the mic.

State law approaches to address digital food marketing to youth: Why digital marketing is different

Thursday, December 19, 2013

With young people’s growing use of digital devices, food and beverage companies are now able to target them in more ways than ever, often with deceptive content that makes it harder for youth to recognize as marketing. Some legal protections have yet to catch up with advances in digital marketing, but existing prohibitions on unfair and deceptive practices can be used to protect kids.

State law approaches to address digital food marketing to youth: Executive summary

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Digital food marketing to young children is not only inherently deceptive, it threatens kids’ health. This report from the Public Health Advocacy Institute, Berkeley Media Studies Group and Center for Digital Democracy explores how state consumer protection law can be used to limit harmful digital food marketing to vulnerable child and teen consumers. Read the executive summary or download the full report >

State law approaches to address digital food marketing to youth: Full report

Thursday, December 19, 2013

The toll in human suffering and health costs from diet-related disease is stark. Addressing the digital marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to youth is a key step toward easing this toll and ensuring a healthy future. This report from the Public Health Advocacy Institute, Berkeley Media Studies Group and Center for Digital Democracy describes state legal approaches available to stem the harmful tide of digital food marketing targeted at children and teens.

State law approaches to address digital food marketing to youth: Gaming

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Digital games are a popular tactic that food and beverage companies use to market unhealthy products to kids and teens. Research shows there is a connection between gaming and obesity, and advergames can have a harmful effect on kids’ eating habits. However, the sheer volume of gaming platforms and apps makes state regulation a challenge.

Cigarettes become a dangerous product: Tobacco in the rearview mirror, 1952-1965

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Tobacco control’s unparalleled success comes partly from advocates broadening the focus of responsibility beyond the smoker to include industry and government. How can public health advocates apply lessons from tobacco control to other efforts like the fight against harmful food and beverage industry products and marketing practices? A study we conducted with our colleagues from the Public Health Advocacy Institute at Northeastern University School of Law offers insights.

Video: The fight to reduce auto hazards

Friday, November 08, 2013

Automobiles are a major cause of injury and death, yet because they have long been a symbol of freedom and privacy in the United States, efforts to regulate them often meet resistance. Even basic protections like seat belts and airbags that we now take for granted were once contested. In this video as part of BMSG’s 20th anniversary series, Ben Kelley, director of injury control policy at the Trauma Foundation, discusses the evolution of auto industry regulation and changes in the public’s perception of and media reporting on the issue since the early 20th century.

Talking about Health in All Policies

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Health in All Policies is a collaborative approach to improving the health of all people by making sure health considerations are a part of all policy decisions. In Section 7 of this toolkit from the Public Health Institute, BMSG’s Lori Dorfman and Ingrid Daffner Krasnow discuss how we can more effectively make the case for a Health in All Policies framework. Download toolkit >

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