Consumer Health: With PowerWeb: Health and Human Performance

Part I Dynamics of the Health Marketplace 1 Consumer Health Issues Misleading Information Quackery and Health Fraud Problems with Products Problems with Services Problems with Costs The Need for Consumer Protection Intelligent Consumer Behavior 2 Separating Fact from Fiction How Facts are Determined Problems with Health Information Prudent Use of the Internet Further Suggestions for Consumers 3 Frauds and Quackery Definitions Frauds and Quackery Today Why People Are Vulnerable Hazards Common Misconceptions Recognizing Quackery Conspiracy Claims The Freedom-of-Choice Issue 4 Advertising and Other Marketing Practices Psychologic Manipulation Puffery, Weasel Words, and Half-Truths Advertising Outlets Professional Advertising Marketing by Hospitals Prescription Drug Marketing Nonprescription Drug Advertising Food Advertising Dietary Supplement Promotion Tobacco Promotion Mail-Order Quackery Weight-Control Promotions Youth and Beauty Aids Exercise and Fitness Products Infomercials Multilevel Marketing (MLM) Telemarketing Schemes Industry Self-Regulation Government Regulation Part II Health-Care Approaches 5 Science-Based Health Care Health-Care Personnel Choosing a Physician Basic Medical Care Surgical Care Quality of Medical Care Disciplining of Physicians The Intelligent Patient 6 Mental Health Care Who Should Seek Help? Mental Health Practitioners Psychotherapy Drug Therapy Electroconvulsive Therapy Psychosomatic Disorders Selecting a Therapist Hospital Care Questionable "Self-Help" Products Questionable Practices 7 Dental Care Dentists Auxiliary Dental Personnel Tooth Decay Fluoridation Periodontal Disease Self-Care Dental Products Dental Restorations Endodontics (Root Canal) Therapy Orthodontics Dentures Dental X-Ray Procedures Questionable Procedures Dental Quackery Smokeless Products Choosing a Dentist 8 "Alternative" Methods Definitional Problems Acupuncture, Qigong, and "Chinese Medicine" Reflexology Chiropractic Naturopathy Natural Hygiene Iridology Homeopathy Psychic Healing Occult Practices Astrology Biorhythms Transcendental Meditation Yoga Therapy Visual Training Other "Alternative" Practices Unscientific Medical Practices "Holistic Medicine" "Medical Freedom" Laws The NIH Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine 9 Self-Care Purposes of Self-Care Health Promotion Self-Diagnosis Home Medical Tests Self-Treatment of Chronic Diseases Self-Help Publications Self-Help Groups 10 Health Care Facilities The Joint Commission Outpatient Medical Facilities Hospitals Home Care Services Nursing Homes Part III Nutrition and Fitness 11 Basic Nutrition Concepts Major Food Components Human Nutrient Needs Food-Group Systems "Junk Food" Dietary Guidelines for Infants Vegetarianism Nutrients of Special Concern Nutrition Labeling Reliable Information Sources 12 Nutrition Fads, Fallacies and Scams Food Faddism and Quackery Dietary Supplements Megavitamin Claims vs. Facts Appropriate Use of Supplements "Organic" Foods "Health" Foods "Natural" Foods "Medicinal" Use of Herbal Products Macrobiotic Diets Promotion of Questionable Nutrition Promoters of Questionable Nutrition 13 Weight Control Basic Concepts Eating Disorders The Diet and Weight-Loss Marketplace Questionable Diets Prescription Drugs Nonprescription Products Low-Calorie Products Questionable Products and Procedures Government Regulatory Actions Surgical Procedures Weight-Control Organizations Suggestions for Weight Control 14 Exercise Concepts, Products, and Services Public Perceptions Benefits of Exercise Types of Exercise Components of Fitness Starting an Exercise Program Sports Medicine Specialists Exercise Equipment and Supplies Exercise Facilities Children's Exercise Centers Exercise While Traveling Corporate Fitness Programs Exercise and Weight Control Nutrition for Athletes Anabolic Steroids Other "Ergogenic Aids" Part IV Major Health Problems 15 Cardiovascular Diseases Significance of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease Blood Lipid and Homocysteine Levels Cholesterol Guidelines Dietary Modification Lipid-Lowering Drugs Preventative Use of Aspirin Questionable Preventative Measures High Blood Pressure Heart Attacks Diagnostic Tests Surgery to Restore Blood Flow Rehabilitation Programs 16 Arthritis and Related Disorders Types of Arthritis Scientific Treatment Methods Susceptibility to Quackery Questionable Treatment Methods Sources of Information Guidelines for People with Arthritis 17 Cancer Risk Factors for Cancer Preventative Measures Diagnosis Prognosis Evidence-Based Treatment Methods Diet and Cancer Susceptibility to Cancer Quackery Questionable Methods Promotion of Questionable Methods Reliable Information Treatment Guidelines Consumer Protection Laws 18 AIDS Course of the Disease Testing Procedures Prevention Treatment Treatment Costs AIDS-Related Quackery and Fraud Part V Other Products and Services 19 Drug Products Medication Types Pharmacists Prescription Drugs Generic vs. Brand-Name Drugs Drug Interactions Drug Recalls Internet Pharmacy Sales Innovations in Drug Delivery Over-the-Counter Drugs FDA's OTC Review Allergy Products External Analgesics Internal Analgesics Antacids and H2 Blockers Antibiotics OTC First-Aid Antimicrobials Aphrodisiacs (Alleged Sex Enhancers) Remedies for Common Foot Problems Cough and Cold Remedies Sore-Throat Products Diarrhea Remedies Ophthalmic Products Alleged Hangover Products Hemorrhoidals Iron-Containing Products Laxatives Motion Sickness Remedies Sleep Aids Smoking Deterrents Stimulants for Fatigue Home Medicine Cabinet Prudent Use of Medication 20 Skin Care and Beauty Aids Cosmetic Regulation Soaps Moisturizers Questionable Claims OTC Tretinoin Fade Creams Antiperspirants and Deodorants Acne Care Hair and Scalp Care Hair Loss Sun Protection Cosmetic Surgery Laser Phototherapy Camouflage Cosmetics 21 Especially for Women Menstrual Products Menstrual Problems Vaginal Hygiene Vaginitis Contraception Voluntary Abortions Infertility Genetic Testing and Prenatal Counseling Pregnancy and Delivery Infant Feeding Osteoporosis Hormone-Replacement Therapy Mastectomy Prostheses 22 Health Devices Medical Device Regulation Vision Products and Services Hearing Aids Dubious Water Purifier Promotions Humidifiers Personal Emergency Response Systems The Latex Allergy Epidemic Quack Devices 23 Coping with Death Advance Directives Donations of Organs and Tissues Hospice Care Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Reasons for an Autopsy Body Disposition Grief and Mourning Life-Extension Quackery Part VI Protection of the Consumer 24 Health Insurance Basic Health Insurance Major Medical Insurance Contract Provisions Types of Plans Medicare Medicaid Long-Term Care Insurance Dental Insurance Loss Ratios Indemnity vs. Managed Care Medical Savings Accounts Choosing a Policy Collection of Insurance Benefits Disability Insurance 25 Health-Care Economics Health-Care Costs Cost-Control Methods Insurance Fraud and Abuse National Health Insurance (NHI) 26 Consumer Laws, Agencies and Strategies U.S. Food and Drug Administration Federal Trade Commission U.S. Postal Service Other Federal Agencies State and Local Agencies Nongovernmental Organizations Consumer Action Appendix: Reliable Sources of Information