Green plastic bottle of mineral and organic fertilizer

A Multipart Analysis of Outreach Communications

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green bottle image

Green plastic bottle of mineral and organic fertilizer

Lead Researcher: Gareth Thomas Williams

Summary: This project is a multi-part analysis of outreach communications by agricultural chemical manufacturers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture following the 1962 release of “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson. The study includes rhetorical analysis of communications by the companies and examination of multimedia information and disinformation campaigns seeking to undermine Carson’s work. This work follows on a rhetorical analysis of Ms. Carson’s speeches in 1963 that rebut the industry and governmental challenges to her work. Future work will likely address the presidential commission launched in response to “Silent Spring,” which ultimately found the assertions in the book credible and warranting immediate intervention.

Food containing too much sugar. Sugar in diet causes obesity, diabetes and other health problems

Stigma Related Research

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too much sugar image

Food containing too much sugar, e.g., sweets, donuts, and cookies. Sugar in diet causes obesity, diabetes and other health problems

Lead Researcher: Victoria Ann Ledford

1. Summary: This project aims to better understand how individuals with weight stigma construct their self-stigma beliefs and attitudes. The goal of this project is to develop a theoretically grounded measure for weight-related self-stigma.

2. Summary: This project aims to construct a model of self-stigma communication that provides predictable pathways for researchers who investigate how self-stigma affects health-related behavioral intentions. The first iteration of this project will be presented at NCA 2018.

Health and healthcare infographic. Health effects of obesity.

The RPA and Stigma

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healthcare infographic

Health and healthcare infographic. Health effects of obesity.

Lead Researcher: Victoria Ann Ledford

Summary: This project began as Victoria’s Master’s thesis project, which situated stigma as an important predictor in the Risk Perception Attitude Framework. She is currently working to extend the work of this study.

Results from her thesis project can be found here: http://mds.marshall.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2090&context=etd

 

baby, mother, and doctor

Integrating Diffusion of Innovations Theory to Develop a Women’s Health Social Marketing Initiative

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baby, mom, doctor image

Beautiful young mom is holding her cute baby while doctor is listening to baby’s lungs

Principal Investigator: Beth Sundstrom
Funding Source: The Brown University Healthy Communities Initiative

Summary: This dissertation study integrates diffusion of innovations theory with social marketing to better understand women’s health and the health of their families. This study seeks to understand what women know, believe, value, and say will help them to improve their health and by extension, the health of their children and family members.