Michele Simon

Michele Simon. A public health lawyer, author, and prominent advocate for food policy reform, she has dedicated her career to challenging the influence of large corporations on public health. Her work critically examines the marketing practices and political strategies of the food industry, with a focus on junk food, alcohol, and marijuana sectors. Simon is widely recognized for her expertise in legal strategies for holding corporations accountable and for her influential writings on the intersection of law, public health, and corporate power.

Early life and education

Her academic foundation in science was established at Cornell University, where she studied human biology and health. This background informed her understanding of the physiological impacts of diet and substance use. She then pursued a legal education at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, earning her Juris Doctor degree. This combination of scientific and legal training equipped her with a unique perspective for analyzing how corporate practices and government policies affect community health outcomes.

Career

She began her career in the late 1990s, initially focusing on issues within the alcohol industry. Her early work involved researching and exposing the marketing tactics used by alcohol companies targeted at young people. She later served as the director of research and policy at the National Association of Local Boards of Health, where she worked on community strategies to address food marketing to children. A significant phase of her career was spent as the executive director of the Plant Based Foods Association, advocating for companies producing alternatives to animal products. She has also served as a legal and policy consultant for numerous non-profit organizations, public health agencies, and academic institutions, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Publications

She is the author of the influential book *Appetite for Profit: How the Food Industry Undermines Our Health and How to Fight Back*, a critical analysis of the food industry's role in the obesity epidemic and its lobbying efforts. Her research reports, such as *And Now a Word From Our Sponsors: Are America's Nutrition Professionals in the Pocket of Big Food?*, have sparked significant debate within the fields of public health and nutrition. Her scholarly articles and opinion pieces have been featured in numerous outlets including the American Journal of Public Health, the San Francisco Chronicle, and The Huffington Post. She maintains a widely-read blog where she comments on current issues related to food policy, corporate accountability, and regulatory affairs.

Advocacy and public policy work

Her advocacy centers on exposing and countering what she terms "corporate manipulation" of science and policy. She has been a leading voice in campaigns to regulate the marketing of sugary drinks and fast food to children, often testifying before legislative bodies and providing commentary to media outlets like CNN and NPR. She has worked extensively on issues related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), arguing for restrictions on purchasing junk food with benefits. Her policy work also extends to the marijuana industry, where she advocates for strict regulations to prevent the emergence of a "Big Marijuana" model akin to Big Tobacco, focusing on preventing child-friendly packaging and heavy marketing.

Recognition and awards

Her contributions to public health law and advocacy have been acknowledged by several organizations. She has received awards for her leadership and writing from groups dedicated to health and consumer protection. Her book *Appetite for Profit* was endorsed by prominent figures in the food movement, including Marion Nestle and Eric Schlosser. She is frequently invited to speak at major conferences, including those organized by the American Public Health Association and the Association of Health Care Journalists, where she is recognized as a thought leader on issues of food politics and preventive health.

Category:American public health lawyers Category:Food writers Category:Health activists