Our Work

Advocacy Campaigns Work

Igniting a Movement to Reverse Childhood Obesity

Work with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Obesity is one of the biggest threats to our nation’s health, healthcare system, economy and future. A third of children are overweight or obese, and research suggests this may be the first generation of Americans to live shorter, … Continue reading Igniting a Movement to Reverse Childhood Obesity →

Striving to End the Oral Health Care Crisis

Work with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Nearly 50 million Americans live in areas with too few dentists, and as a result, they can’t get needed dental care. Without more mid-level dental providers who can extend the reach of the dentist and deliver care to communities … Continue reading Striving to End the Oral Health Care Crisis →

In Wake of Leaders’ Murders, Fighting for Land Title—and Justice—for Indigenous Ashéninka in Peru

Work with the Ford Foundation

In September of 2014, just before thousands of politicians and climate activists flooded the streets of New York for the United Nations Climate Summit, four indigenous leaders were shot to death by illegal loggers in the Ucayali region of Peru’s Amazon Rainforest. Indigenous partners in Peru contacted Burness via Facebook to help spread the word about this tragedy, the latest in a string of attacks on environmental defenders in tropical forest regions.

Teaching Parents About Children’s Pain Through Social Media

Work with the Mayday Fellowship

Fewer than 5 percent of children receive any kind of pain relief during routine immunizations, even though research shows that there are simple, no-cost solutions that work. That’s according to Christine Chambers, PhD, a clinical psychologist, researcher and professor … Continue reading Teaching Parents About Children’s Pain Through Social Media →

Galvanizing Pain Leaders to Advocate for Better Care

Work with the Mayday Fund

The Challenge One hundred million Americans suffer from chronic pain – In 2011, the Institute of Medicine released the report Relieving Pain in America, detailing the chronic pain epidemic in America. With so many Americans suffering from chronic pain and so few resources … Continue reading Galvanizing Pain Leaders to Advocate for Better Care →