The Problem With Quick Fixes

We want simple, quick, & painless ways to alleviate problems. Business people know this and the fact that health is complex, inconsistent, uncertain, and confusing to most people.

Quacks take advantage of this situation and develop products and services to rip us off.

Is Health Purchasable?

• In some ways it is:– We can run to the doctor if we get sick. By-pass

surgery, etc– We can buy meds to help with medical conditions,

high BP medicine, cholesterol lowering drugs– We can join fancy workout centers to help with our

fitness– We can have plastic surgery to make us look better– We can take pills to help with weight reduction– We can buy numerous gadgets to help with various

medical conditions

Is Health Purchasable?

• Mostly health is not purchasable:– Our health is mainly dictated by our personal day-to-

day lifestyle choices • Good daily diet• Exercise • Good communications• Stress management• Etc.

In summary, our health can be made easier if we have money, but the most important issue is to lead a good daily lifestyle

Many Problems With The Health Marketplace

• Rising costs

• Health insurance problems

• Poor quality of medical care

• Problems with products

• Products with services

• Problems with costs

• Etc.

Buyer Beware Vs. Seller Beware

• Many years ago it was buyer beware

• Now it should be seller beware

Consumers’ Bill Of Rights – 1962, John Kennedy

• Right to safety

• Right to be informed

• Right to Choose

• Right to be heard

Consumer Health

• Deals with the decisions individuals make with regard to the purchase and use of the available health products and health services that will have a direct effect on their health

Quackery• Promotion of a false or unproven health

method for profit.

• Quacks take advantage of people.

• Victims of quacks:– Lack suspicion– Are desperate– Are alienated– Believe in magic– Are overconfident

Protective Forces

• FDA• FTC• POSTAL SERVICE• STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL• ACCREDITATION AGENCIES• PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES• HEALTH RELATED AGENCIES• CONSUMER GROUPS• VOLUNTEER HEALTH AGENCIES• ETC.

Intelligent Consumer Behavior• They seek reliable sources of information• Maintain a health lifestyle• Select practitioners with great care• Use health care system and self-care services

wisely• Communicate effectively• Take active role when health problems arise• Use logic of science in determining which

theories and practices are valid.• Wary of non-scientific treatments• Familiar with economic aspects of health care• Report frauds and quackery to agencies