by: Pamela Mejia
posted on Thursday, January 24, 2013
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 food industry sets its sights on her, I’m not just studying the problem. I’m living it.
Tags: children's health, Dora the Explorer, food industry, junk food marketing, Nickelodeon, public health, target marketing
by: Laura Nixon and Pamela Mejia
posted on Friday, January 18, 2013
In its latest ad campaign, Coca-Cola claims that it is committed to fighting obesity — so why doesn’t the beverage giant stop targeting low-income children of color?
Tags: Coca-Cola, obesity, target marketing
by: Pamela Mejia
posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Child sexual abuse has fallen out of the news cycle since Jerry Sandusky was convicted on 45 counts of child sexual abuse last month. Fortunately, children’s advocates are working to remind readers that child sexual abuse doesn’t end when a high-profile trial does.
Tags: Catholic church, child sexual abuse, sandusky, snap
by: Pamela Mejia
posted on Friday, May 11, 2012
By flooding a town near South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation with beer, the alcohol industry is fueling health inequities among the Oglala Sioux. Columnist Nicholas Kristof offers suggestions for reigning in the booze. Will industry listen? Will media keep the issue alive?
Tags: alcohol, health equity, Oglala Sioux, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Whiteclay
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: 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: Pamela Mejia
posted on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Child sexual abuse isn’t just about courtrooms and arraignments, but you wouldn’t know it to read the newspaper: Too often, coverage focuses on the details of high profile cases but ignores the environments that fostered the abuse. Now we have an unprecedented opportunity to examine both at once.
Tags: child sexual abuse, Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno, Penn State, public health
