Date of Graduation

Summer 8-17-2016

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

First Advisor

Dhrubajyoti Bhattacharya

Second Advisor

Courtney Keeler

Third Advisor

Marie-Claude Couture

Abstract

The following paper is a summary on a 300-hour fieldwork experience at the Breast Cancer Fund. The Breast Cancer Fund (BCF) is a non-profit organization based in San Francisco, CA that partners with organizations across the nation to expand their reach and health education. BCF works to expose and eliminate toxic chemicals in the environment that are linked to breast cancer, immunotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental issues. BCF accomplishes these goals through public awareness and pushing for policy change. In April 2015, Senators Diane Feinstein and Susan Collins introduced the Personal Care Products Safety Act. This is the first bill of its kind in the last 75 years designed to close the gaps on outdated federal law that allows the use of chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities and other illnesses and chronic diseases in personal care products. Although this bill possesses many strong qualities, moving the industry in the right direction, BCF believes that this bill is not effective and comprehensive enough to truly protect the health of Americans. Thus, for my project, I conducted a strategy known as power mapping to determine which senators of the HELP Committee would be most likely influenced to take a ‘support if amended’ stance. Many factors and influences were taken into account such as financial, political, and personal influences. From the research collected, we were able to infer which officials were best targets for voting in favor of strengthening the current bill. This process would allow for a more comprehensive bill to be passed and ensure the safety and wellness of Americans.

Download

Share

COinS