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Consumer Health and Quackery?
Consumer health is important for anyone who will either eventually
become ill and need health care or who wants to take an active role
in their own health--and that includes just about all of us. Being
a knowledgeable consumer should help us take better control of our
own health and avoid potentially costly experiences due to fraudulence
and misinformation. Hopefully, we will all become more aware of
the health misinformation that exists and of some of the fraudulent
health beliefs and practices. We are individually responsible for
our health and the quality of prevention and treatment we experience.
The sooner we understand that our doctor or the health care system
does not determine our health status, the sooner we can maximize
our resources toward better health.
The consumers in America won a major victory in 1962 when President
John F. Kennedy outlined the "Consumer Bill of Rights"
to Congress. Some of the rights included in this bill are:
- the right to safety
- the right to be informed
- the right to choose
- the right to be heard
Quackery has been defined by the National Council Against Health
Fraud as "the promotion of health products, services, or practices
of questionable safety, effectiveness, or validity for an intended
purpose." The term 'quackery' is derived from the Dutch word
quacksalver, which is used to identify someone who makes unsubstantiated
claims about their salves. A quack is someone who pretends to have
medical training and skill. The most significant threat posed by
quacks is that they rob people of valuable time and money they could
otherwise spend on more legitimate methods of prevention, treatment,
and healing.
Ron Hager
Health and Fitness Section Editor
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The National Council Against Health Fraud
NCAHF is a private nonprofit,
voluntary health agency that focuses on health misinformation, fraud,
and quackery as public health problems.
Quackwatch
Quackwatch,
Inc., a member of Consumer Federation of America, is a nonprofit
corporation whose purpose is to combat health-related frauds, myths,
fads, and fallacies. Some of their many quackery topics include:
- Cancer Quackery
- Dental Quackery
- Dietary Supplements
- Multilevel Marketing
- Mental Health Quackery
- Mental Retardation Quackery
- Physical Therapy Quackery
- Special Education Quackery
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Questions to Ask, or
Thoughts to Share?
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Characteristics of Quacks
Quacks are usually very good salespeople--they are slick with sales
pitches and make a product sound "too good to be true".
Often, they can stay a few steps ahead of the scientific community,
either because their routine is so clever that studies haven’t been
performed to expose their hoax, or the scientific community doesn’t
rally enough support against the quack until he or she has effectively
marketed a product or service. Their primary motivation is typically
to make money at the expense of the consumer. There are ways to
spot a quack:
Quacks tend to be secretive about their products or services.
They will sometimes claim to have a cure that is recognized in other
parts of the world but is not yet known or accepted in the United
States.
Quacks promise cures. Quacks promise quick and easy
cures with no risk to the client. They often claim their product
or service can cure a wide range of unrelated health problems.
Quacks flaunt academic degrees. Often times these
degrees or licenses are either from non-accredited schools, have
been revoked, or have lapsed.
Quacks use scare tactics. Quacks will convince consumers
that, based on their symptoms, they must use their products soon
or suffer severe health consequences.
Quacks use testimonials to advertise or promote their products
or services. Quacks use anecdotes, testimonials,
and other forms of advertising not legitimate and scientifically
validated information.
Quacks claim medical conspiracy. They claim to be
persecuted by orthodox medicine only because they are controversial
or because the medical establishment is trying to avoid competition.
Quacks are often sued. They will claim the consumer
misused the product, and that the litigation is yet another sign
they are being persecuted by the government or orthodox medicine.
Quacks promote the use of vitamins or some type of nutritional
supplement. They claim that most Americans need help with
their nutrition and that supplements can give this assistance.
Quacks use "detoxification" methods. Instead
of treating risk factors or specific symptoms, they claim that detoxifying
the body will strengthen the immune system and return the body to
a state of well-being.
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| If you have ideas, comments, letters to share, or questions
about particular topics, please email one of the following Health
and Fitness Section Editors: |
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Need Nutrition Advice?
Where can you receive sound nutrition information when you make
eating decisions? How do you stay current in an age of limitless
information? Do you know where to turn for credible nutrition advice?
Magazines, newspapers, and television reports are the primary sources
of nutrition information for most consumers. However, more reliable
nutrition information is available than ever before, but many sources
only contain threads of truth or are completely inaccurate. You
must be a cautious consumer of nutrition information. Just because
it is in print, on TV and radio, or on the Internet does not make
it true. You need to evaluate what you see, hear, and read.
When do you need nutrition advice? There are many times
you may benefit from nutrition guidance, including:
- If you are trying to become pregnant or already are pregnant.
- If you are nursing or feeding an infant
- If you are feeding children, teenagers, or an aging individual.
- If you or your children are involved in sporting activities.
- If you are trying to make any type of weight change.
- If you are trying to change your eating habits to prevent or
control a health condition.
- If you are trying to change your eating habits to prevent or
control a health condition.
- If you are trying to make lifestyle changes to stay fit.
- If you have a question about food safety.
- If you are researching a health claim.
Who is an expert? Sometimes it is difficult to determine
who is a qualified nutrition expert. Real experts have specific
academic training and credentials in nutrition. they have degrees
in dietetics, nutrition, public health, or related fields, such
as medicine and biochemistry from respected colleges and universities.
The initials R.D. for "registered dietitian" mean an individual
has completed specific academic requirements in the field of nutrition
and has passed a national certification test. Be cautious of the
title "nutritionist" or "diet counselor." In
many state the titles are not regulated, meaning that anyone--including
people who are not qualified--can use those titles.
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