Grassroots Movement Building Bibliography

A selection of research and reports compiled by Grassroots Change about grassroots movements and related issues such as local public health authority.

Editorial: Public Health Policies: Go Local!

Bishai, DM, Frattaroli S, Keshia M. Pollack KM. Editorial: Public Health Policies: Go Local! American Journal of Public Health: October 2013, Vol. 107 (5)672-674. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.303682

Grassroots Movement Building and Preemption in the Campaign for Residential Fire Sprinklers - American Journal of Public Health

Mark Pertschuk, Robin Hobart, Marjorie Paloma, Michelle A. Larkin and Edith D. Balbach, American Journal of Public Health, Published online ahead of print August 15, 2013: e1–e8. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301317)

Home fires account for 85% of fire deaths in the United States, the majority in 1- or 2-family homes lacking fire sprinklers. Since 1978, however, a grassroots movement has successfully promoted more than 360 local ordinances mandating sprinklers in all new residential construction, including 1- and 2-family homes. The homebuilding industry has responded by seeking state preemption of local authority, a strategy previously used by other industries concerned about protecting their profits. From 2009 through 2011, 13 states adopted laws eliminating or limiting local authority over residential fire sprinklers. This study of the residential sprinkler movement adds to our understanding of grassroots public health movements and provides additional evidence that preemption can have a negative impact on public health and safety. 

Summary: Lessons from the residential fire sprinkler movement

A 1-page handout on lessons from the grassroots fire prevention movement for advocates working on other public health and safety issues.

Five Lessons for Building Grassroots Movements.

A 2-page version of the lessons and conclusions from the article Grassroots Movement Building and Preemption in the Campaign for Residential Fire Sprinklers in the October 2013 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

Disease Prevention as Social Change: The State, Society, and Public Health in the United States, France, Great Britain, and Canada.

Nathanson CA.  New York: Russell Sage Foundation; 2007.

Tobacco interests or the public interest: 20 years of industry strategies to undermine airline smoking restrictions

Lopipero, P & Bero, L. Tobacco Control. 2006 15: 323-332

Clearing the airways: advocacy and regulation for smoke-free airlines

Holms, AL & Davis, RM. Tobacco Control. 2004; 13 [Suppl 1]: i30-i36.

Grassroots Advocacy for Gun Violence Prevention: A Status Report on Mobilizing a Movement.

Frattaroli S.  J Public Health Policy. 2003;24(3/4):332-354.

Social Movements as Catalysts for Policy Change: The Case of Smoking and Guns

Nathanson, CA. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law. 1999.

In this article, Dr. Nathanson uses social movement theory to compare the tobacco control and gun control movements, and draws lessons for the public health field.

Assessing the Impact of Federal and State Preemption in Public Health: A Framework for Decision Makers.

Mark Pertschuk, JD; Jennifer L. Pomeranz, JD, MPH; Julie Ralston Aoki, JD; Michelle A. Larkin, JD, MS, RN; Marjorie Paloma, MPH. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. 2012.

In public health, preemption occurs when a higher level of government takes away the power of lower jurisdictions to adopt stronger laws. This journal article discusses the background and rationale behind Grassroots Change’s Preemption Framework, a tool to help grassroots advocates assess and respond to state and federal preemption.

The Impact of State Preemption of Local Smoking Restrictions on Public Health Protections and Changes in Social Norms

Paul D. Mowery, Steve Babb, Robin Hobart, Cindy Tworek, and Allison MacNeil. Journal of Environmental and Public Health. 2012.

This article presents the findings of research on the impact of state laws that preempt local smokefree ordinances, including the negative impact of state preemption on social norms change.  Public health advocates are advised to learn about preemption while working towards local change.