Healthy Skepticism Library item: 1624

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Words to the wise healthcare consumer: Approach with caution
2005 Jun 8;

Full text:

Don’t believe everything you read. That’s right. It’s some of the best advice you’ll see, and it applies critically to your healthcare reading, in particular when you’re being lured into quick fixes, the latest fads or seemingly simple solutions that may not really be healthy for you.

It’s important in today’s hyper-media market that consumers are savvy about the messages they see and hear, and aren’t prone to take things at face value. That means asking questions, listening carefully, looking at claims, being aware of sources and sometimes reading between the lines for what isn’t said.

What does that mean specifically when you’re watching health commercials, reading news articles, browsing the Internet or looking at medical ads? Here are some things to watch for so you’ll be a better healthcare consumer.

As you’re scanning claims, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends you should be suspicious when you see:

• Claims that a product is a “scientific breakthrough,” “miraculous cure” or “secret ingredient”

• Claims that the product is an effective cure for a wide range of ailments. No product can cure multiple conditions or diseases.

• Claims that use impressive-sounding medical terms. They’re often covering up a lack of good science.

• Undocumented case histories of people who’ve had amazing results. It’s too easy to make them up. And even if true, they can’t be generalized to the entire population. Anecdotes are not a substitute for valid science.

• Claims that the product is available from only one source, and payment is required in advance.

• Claims of a “money-back” guarantee.

• Web sites that fail to list the company’s name, physical address, phone number or other contact information.

Beyond approaching healthcare information as a savvy consumer, you’ll want to ask good questions as you approach a product, procedure or new practitioner. To check a product out, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) health fraud coordinators suggest:

Talk to a doctor or another health professional. If it’s an unproven or little-known treatment, always get a second opinion from a medical specialist.

Talk to family members and friends. Legitimate medical practitioners should not discourage you from discussing medical treatments with others. Be wary of treatments offered by people who tell you to avoid talking to others because “it’s a secret treatment or cure.”

Check with the Better Business Bureau or local attorneys generals’ offices to see whether other consumers have lodged complaints about the product or the product’s marketer.

Check with the appropriate health professional group-for example, the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, or the National Arthritis Foundation if the products are promoted for heart disease, diabetes or arthritis. Many of these groups have local chapters that can provide you with various resource materials about your disease.

Finally, if you feel you’ve been the victim of a scam or you’ve come across a questionable ad, you can take action. The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint, or for more information, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, (877) FTC-HELP or

(877) 382-4357. The FDA has jurisdiction over the content and labeling of foods, drugs and medical devices. It can act when products are falsely labeled. In Illinois, the number to call to report a problem is (312) 353-7840. Online report forms can be found at www.fda.gov.

Be at least as cautious with your health as you would be when buying a new car: kick the tires of any potential new treatment, ask the tough questions, and take it for a test drive if possible. Your health and well-being deserves the thorough decision-making process you go through for a new car purchase; don’t shortchange yourself.