Thesis
Community water fluoridation: advocacy coalitions in political activism
Washington State University
Master of Public Affairs (MPA), Washington State University
2015
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101008
Abstract
Water fluoridation to prevent tooth decay may seem mundane but is in fact a political and contentious public health policy. Despite fluoride's effectiveness, documented in scientific studies over decades, opposition groups have limited the expansion of a program hailed by the CDC as one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Whether to fluoridate is a decision generally made at the local or in some cases the state level, either by governing bodies or by voters. Once implemented, there is no guarantee against a future decision to reverse course. Studying fluoridation policy in Oregon is particularly interesting because the state ranks comparatively low in the percentage of population with fluoridated water. Two fluoridation votes recently took place in Oregon with contrasting outcomes. In Philomath, after decades of fluoridation, city officials discontinued the program; this led to a referendum vote overturning the city council's decision and reinstating fluoride. In nearby Portland, voters struck down the city council's intention to institute a fluoridation program. This study examines the level of engagement of advocacy coalitions in the two campaigns, observing key activities and players in the policy process. The research findings suggest that factors such as social media and resistance to change influenced outcomes, and highlight areas of focus that might increase the likelihood that a future water fluoridation policy proposal achieves implementation.
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Details
- Title
- Community water fluoridation
- Creators
- Jennifer Ann Snook
- Contributors
- Laurie A. Drapela (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Public Affairs (MPA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525026601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis