Student
Fairfield University
I am entering my final year of my undergraduate education at Fairfield University, studying public health and psychology as a pre-law student and I will be attending law school in the fall of 2024. Throughout my journey as an undergraduate, my studies of public health have acted as a catalyst for my understanding of the profound impact that laws and policies have on our collective well-being. I have come to understand the essential role that legislation plays in the marketing and consumption of food products.
Last summer I discovered Yuka—an app that revealed a troubling truth about American food products. As I became more familiar with the app I was confronted with the shocking reality of the numerous harmful chemicals present in American Food Products. My shock grew when I realized the impact these substances had on fertility issues, specifically the effects of BHTs and BHAs.
After I came to this realization, my interest in public perception regarding food product ingredients and the factors that shape the preferences of consumers peaked. Through my research and study, I sought to shed light on what exactly influences consumers choice and just how much awareness consumers have about the foods they are putting into their bodies.
I intended for my research to extended beyond understanding public perception to examine the question of susceptibility to the adverse effects of BHA and BHT. I felt compelled to explore whether certain groups of people were inadvertently placed at a higher risk for fertility and reproduction difficulties due to their interactions with these substances. I aimed to unveil potential health disparities and inform efforts to safeguard the well-being of vulnerable populations. However, my sample size was realtively small and lacked diversity. In the future my goal would be to reach more people with my survey to uncover where these disparties exist in American food safety.
As I prepare to embark on my next educational step —law school—I am fueled by a sense of purpose and desire to effect positive change at the intersection of health, law, and public perception. My multidisciplinary background in public health and psychology, positions me to advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and communities as my next step is to write a policy breif on my findings. It is my sincere aspiration to promote equitable access to healthy and safe food products and help to reshape the legal landscape to make that a reality.