Consumer Health
Assessment
KIN 380 Consumer Health
Answers, explanations and references
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the question to go to the answer and references.
1. Everyone should have a complete physical every year or two?
2. Fluoride toothpaste works so well that water fluoridation is no
longer important?
3. It is difficult for busy people to eat a balanced diet?
4. People intelligent enough to graduate from college are unlikely
to be victimized by quackery?
5. Accreditation of a school indicates that a regulatory agency
considers its teachings sound?
6. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in
the United States?
7. Sugar is a major cause of hyperactivity and other childhood
behavioral problems?
8. No special training is legally required to offer counseling to
the public.
9. Taking antioxidant vitamins has been proven to
protect against heart disease, stroke, and cancer?
10. Homeopathic remedies are a safe and effective alternative to
many drugs that doctors prescribe?
11. Taking large daily doses of vitamin C can cut the incidence of
colds in half?
12. People over the age 21 should have their blood cholesterol
level checked every year?
13. The Postal Service screens many ads for mail-order health
products before they are published?
16. Most health-food retailers are well informed about products they sell.
19. Natural cancer cures are being suppressed because drug
companies don’t want competition?
20. Most health-related books and magazine articles undergo expert
prepublication review?
1. Everyone should have a complete
physical every year or two.
FALSE
·
Infants
and children need a physical every year
·
Ages
18 to 39: every 5 years (you should have 2 physical exams in your twenties)
·
Age
40 to 65: have a physical exam every 1-5 years
·
Over
the age of 65: have a yearly exam.
Reference: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002125.htm
2. Fluoride toothpaste works so well
that water fluoridation is no longer important.
FALSE
Children
and adults who are at low risk for dental decay can stay cavity-free through
frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride. This is best gained by drinking
fluoridated water and using fluoride toothpaste twice daily.
Reference: www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/factsheets/fl-caries.htm
3. It is difficult for busy people
to eat a balanced diet.
FALSE
Many fast
food restaurants have published the nutrient content of their foods. You can
plan a convenient yet healthful diet with this type of information. Preparing
healthy meals ahead of time and freezing them is another option for busy
people.
References:
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002462.htm and www.living-better.com/improve_prepkey.html
4. People intelligent enough to
graduate from college are unlikely to be victimized by quackery.
FALSE
Just as
there is no typical profile for swindlers, neither is there one for their
victims. Virtually anyone can fall prey to fraudulent crimes. Young,
well-educated people are the most likely to fall for swindles overall.
www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Victims/victims.htm
5. Accreditation of a
school indicates that a regulatory agency considers its teachings sound.
False
The goal of accreditation
is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets
acceptable levels of quality. Accrediting agencies, which are private
educational associations of regional or national scope, develop evaluation
criteria and conduct peer evaluations to assess whether or not those criteria
are met. Some entrepreneurs make up names for the purpose of marketing
products, such as weight-control pills, sex enhancers, or various dietary supplements.
If an "institute," "clinic," "laboratory,"
"research center," or professional-sounding "association"
uses sensational claims to market products by mail or through the Internet, it
is probably a phony.
Though the U.S.
Department of Education does not accredit educational institutions and/or
programs you may be able to check the validity and quality from a list of
accrediting agencies. The Secretary of Education is required by law to publish
a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies that the Secretary
determines to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or
training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher
education programs they accredit.
Reference: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html,
www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/nonrecorg.html
6. Cigarette smoking is the leading
cause of preventable death in the
TRUE
According
to the US Centers for Disease Control, from the beginning of 1990 through 1994,
430,700 of 2,153,700 deaths were attributed to smoking. “The CDC notes that
‘cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the
Reference: www.drugwarfacts.org/causes/htm
7. Sugar is a major cause of
hyperactivity and other childhood behavioral problems.
FALSE
Surveys
have shown that many adults mistakenly believe that sugar and chocolate are
largely responsible for hyperactivity, however no
scientific evidence exists for restlessness or hyperactivity disorders.
There is no
known link between sugar consumption and hyperactivity. More likely causes of
hyperactivity are temperament, emotional disturbances, learning disorders (such
as ADHD), and sleep problems.
References:
www.choclateinfo.com/sr/sr_article_05.jsp
and
http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/14/1739_50032
8. No special training is legally
required to offer counseling to the public.
TRUE
When using
the word counseling we need to be specific, are we talking about camp
counselors, peer counselors, or psychotherapists. If
we mean basic counselors then no there is no special training required by any
state or government agency. With regards to psychological counseling then yes
special training is required. Usually a college degree is the minimum required.
Questions like this need to be specific and exact to avoid confusion.
Reference: www.quackwatch.com
9. Taking antioxidant vitamins has been proven to protect
against heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
FALSE
They offer
no protection against heart disease, stroke, or cancer. Beta carotene has been
shown to actually cause a slight increase in heart disease and stroke deaths. A
better way to protect your heart is to have a healthy diet.
The
National Academy of Sciences is a nongovernmental group of experts involved in
scientific research. They recommend what vitamins and minerals you need in your
diet and how much of each. They say that there is no proof that large doses of
anti-oxidants will prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, or
cataracts. They did set guidelines for the safe use of some of them:
- Selenium—at least 55 micro-grams (mcg) per day but not more than 400 mcg per
day.
- Vitamin C—at least 75 milli-grams (mg) per day for women and 90 mg for men,
although smokers need more. No one should have more than 2,000 mg per day.
- Vitamin E—at least 15 mg per day from food and not more than 1,000 mg per
day.
Reference:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/66/79810.htm, http://www.niapublications.org/engagepages/lifeext.asp
10. Homeopathic remedies are a safe
and effective alternative to many drugs that doctors prescribe.
FALSE
Most
prescribed medications are clinically proven drugs designed to help fight
specific conditions. Some homeopathic remedies may also provide the same
benefits, how ever they have not been regulated or proven. What works on some
people may not benefit others. When it comes to prescription drugs, those
provided by the doctors are more reliable and beneficial then homeopathic
remedies.
Homeopathic
remedies are the only category of quack products legally marketable as drugs.
The remedies are placebos and the research behind them is shaky at best.
References:
www.personalmd.com/drugtherapy.htm and http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/homeo.html
11. Taking large daily doses of
vitamin C can cut the incidence of colds in half.
FALSE
While
numerous studies have been conducted, there is no definite answer showing the
reduction of colds do to vitamin C. What has been found
is a reduction in symptoms and occasionally a reduction in severity.
The RDA is
60 mg a day for vitamin C.
Reference: www.quackwatch.org/01QuackRelatedTopics/colds
, http://www.dietitian.com/vitaminc.html
12. People over the age 21 should
have their blood cholesterol level checked every year.
FALSE
All adults
over the age of 20 should have their cholesterol checked once every 5 years,
unless special conditions exists. People with high
total cholesterol, low HDL, or have medical history including Heart Disease
risk factors may need to be checked more frequently.
References:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health and http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/c/cholesteroltesting.htm
13. The Postal Service screens all
ads for mail-order health products before they are published?
FALSE
Postal
Inspectors cannot screen all ads but do base their investigations of mail fraud
on the number, pattern and substance of complaints received from the public. Inspectors
place special emphasis on mail fraud scams related to advance fees, boiler
rooms, health care, insurance, investments, deceptive mailings and other
consumer frauds, especially when they target the elderly or other susceptible
groups. There are approximately 2,000 Postal Inspectors stationed throughout
the
References:
www.quackwatch.com , http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/ar02/ar02_12.htm
, http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/victim.htm
, http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/missmore.htm
FALSE
This
statement is false because they do not have the authority to do so. According
to the American Medical Association, there are medical boards who help funding to
root out bad doctors, yet it is ultimately up to the individual state board
regulations. There are many physicians waiting on state laws that help improve
medical competency review.
Reference: www.ama-assn.org
FALSE
This
statement is false because the government does not provide a “best” recommendation
but gives you options from several science-based perspectives for back pain consultations.
Options include your regular physician for standard care, chiropractic,
acupuncture, or massage therapy, a physiotherapist, and an osteopath. There is nothing wrong
with seeing a chiropractor, but it is best to obtain more than one opinion when
it comes to back pain. Specifics regarding chiropractors - The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke provide this information: “Spinal manipulation is literally a “hands-on” approach
in which trained specialists (such as chiropractors, osteopaths, and massage
therapists) use leverage and a series of exercises to adjust spinal structures
and restore back mobility. These specialists do not prescribe drugs or use
surgery in their treatment of low back pain.”
References:
www.medinfo.com , www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/backpain_doc.htm
, www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/back_pain.htm
and http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/brochure/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=10&topcategory=Spine
16. Most health-food retailers are
well informed about products they sell.
FALSE
Nutrition
misinformation is often disseminated by multilevel marketing companies that
promote unproven health products such as dietary supplements, weight loss
products and herbs. These companies claim that their products can prevent or
cure disease. Product literature may contain illegal therapeutic claims or
product distributors may supply such information through anecdotes and
independently published literature.
Testimonials
also may spread misinformation. People tend to believe information that is
reinforced by sports figures, celebrities, health food store personnel,
teachers, coaches, ministers, legislators, healthcare workers, media
commentators, health professionals, and other persons they respect. When such
public role models give scientifically unfounded testimonials about the
benefits of specific nutritional practices, the effects can be far-reaching and
potentially harmful to the public. Thus, these role models should carefully
examine the accuracy and reliability of any nutrition information they
disseminate and sharpen their skills at making appropriate inferences from
scientific reports. When they are uncertain about the scientific merit of
nutrition products they are asked to endorse, or do not have the scientific
expertise to identify nutrition misinformation, role models should seek the
advice of a dietetics professional.
References:
www.eatright.org/images/journal/0202/adar.pdf
, www.eatright.org/Public/NutritionInformation/index_2716.cfm
, vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/supplmnt.html , www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-oview.html
, www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/ds-econt.html
and Coleman E. Nutrition Quackery.
False
Protein and
amino acids provide a limited amount of energy available for quick use. It
takes the body large amounts to be able to make plenty of useful energy from
either supplement. The two supplements, both protein and amino acids are
recognized as recovery supplements rather than performance enhancers. Body
builders tend to use high amounts of these supplements, but they take it after
the workout, other athletes tend to use it after a hard workout.
The athlete
who wants to optimize exercise performance needs to follow good nutrition and
hydration practices, use supplements and ergogenic
aids carefully, minimize severe weight loss practices, and eat a variety of
foods in adequate amounts.
References:
American Dietetics Association and American College of Sports Medicine Position
Statement, www.eatright.org/Public/Other/index_adap1200.cfm
; AMINO ACIDS, PROTEINS, AND EXERCISE PERFORMANCE, Sports Science Exchange
Roundtable 42 VOLUME 11 (2000) - NUMBER 4 (www.gssiweb.com/reflib/refs/258/rt42.cfm
), DIETARY PROTEIN, AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENTS, AND RECOVERY FROM , Sports Science
Exchange 87, VOLUME 15 (2002) NUMBER 4 (www.gssiweb.com/reflib/refs/602/SSE_87.cfm
); PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING SUPPLEMENTS Matthew A. Pecci, MD. And
FALSE
According
to many new surveys being conducted, non-profit hospitals are costing people
money in more ways than one. A non-profit hospital is supposed to provide
services for the homeless, elderly, young and those who cannot care for
themselves. However these hospitals are costing tax payers a lot of money. It
seems that because they pay no property taxes they can make large write-offs on
their employees and services. This ends up costing tax payers and those seeking
services more money in the long run.
Additionally,
ten to 15 percent of emergency-room care costs could be resolved through a
primary-care provider. The base cost of emergency room care is approximately
$75 and is two to three times more expensive than care provided at a scheduled
appointment.
References:
Hospital and Health Services Administration, Vol. 41, Issue 4. “Hospital
Community Benefits other than Charity Care,” www.kstatecollegian.com/issues/v103/fa/n004/news/news.ercosts.eckert.html
19. Natural cancer
cures are being suppressed because drug companies don’t want competition.
FALSE
“Quacks
typically charge that the medical profession, drug companies, the food
industry, government agencies, and/or other “vested interests” are conspiring
against “natural” cancer cures. No such conspiracy has ever been exposed. Yet
many patients – especially those whom standard medicine cannot cure- embrace
the notion that a small but dedicated band of rebels is defying the medical
establishment by making natural cures available. And desperate patients may
find it more comfortable to believe that cures are being suppressed than to
feel that their situation is hopeless”.
In reality,
natural cancer cures are not a competition for drug companies. Drug companies
are continuously looking for new drugs, because existing drugs have patents
that will run out. Also, any company that can market a new drug that is
effective against cancer will come out billions of dollars ahead, even if
existing drugs become obsolete. Some conspiracy theorists claim that drug
companies ignore "natural" substances that cannot be patented and
therefore cannot be profitable. However, if a natural substance is found
useful, drug companies can develop related chemicals that are more effective.
Reference: www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/conspiracy.html
20. Most
health-related books and magazine articles undergo expert prepublication
review.
FALSE
There is no
regulation stating that what is printed has to be proven by clinical trial or
through research. This is why many supplements can promote benefits even though
they are not regulated by the FDA. The same goes for printed material; all
things must be taken with a grain of salt. The best place to find reliable
information is in magazines or journals that are supported or written by
federal organizations. The American Medical Association, Food and Drug
Administration and New England Medical Journals are great sources for reliable
information.
Reference:
National Council against Health Fraud, www.ncahf.org; www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/periodicalist.html
Students who developed this
assessment:
Otto
Nestor Oropeza
Go the KIN
380 Consumer Health web page:
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