Consumer Health:
Chapter Objectives

Chapter 1. Consumer Health Issues

The student should be better able to explain why consumer vigilance is important in the health marketplace and:

• Define consumer health and illustrate its application to the marketplace.
• Summarize the problems consumers face in the health marketplace.
• Explain why people are vulnerable to quackery.
• Describe the limitations of consumer-protection agencies.
• Identify the actions needed to become an intelligent health consumer.
• Explain how to locate many of the references cited in Consumer Health.

Chapter 2. Separating Fact from Fiction

The student should be better able to judge the reliability of many sources of health information and:

• Explain how the scientific method is used to determine health-related facts.
• Show how statistics can be used and misused in disseminating health information.
• Apply scientific principles to evaluate health information.
• Identify trustworthy publications.
• Develop strategies to protect self from preliminary, misleading, and inaccurate health information.

Chapter 3. Frauds and Quackery

The student should be better able to make intelligent decisions to protect self against fraud and quackery in the health marketplace and:

• Describe types of harm caused by quackery.
• Explain why people are vulnerable to frauds and quackery.
• Explain why anecdotes and testimonials are not reliable evidence that a health product or service is effective.
• Explain how spontaneous remission, placebo effects, and nocebo effects can mislead consumers about the effectiveness of treatments they receive.
• Identify the signs of quackery.
• Identify the common misconceptions about quackery.
• Identify the characteristics of practitioners and promoters of frauds and quackery.
• Explain how the "freedom-of-choice" concept is used to subvert consumer protection.

Chapter 4. Advertising and Marketing Practices

The student should be better able to critically analyze advertising for health products and services and:

• Describe the hidden motivators and the use of puffery, weasel words, and half-truths.
• Identify and discuss the problems and trends of advertisements for professional services, hospital services, prescription and nonprescription drugs, and mail-order products.
• Illustrate advertising and marketing abuses related to foods, dietary supplements, tobacco products, weight-control products, exercise and fitness products, infomercials, multilevel marketing, and telemarketing.
• Describe the strengths and limitations of government regulation of advertising.
• Discuss industry self-regulation of advertising.
• Identify the tactics advertisers use to seduce consumers.

Chapter 5. Science-Based Health Care

The student should be better able to select and communicate effectively with health-care personnel and:

• Describe the types, scope of practice, and training of physicians and allied health-care personnel.
• Describe basic medical procedures.
• Identify which periodic health interventions are cost-effective.
• Investigate whether elective surgery is needed.
• Select competent physicians.
• Express concerns and ask appropriate questions during visits with physicians.
• Assess the quality of medical care in the United States.
• Describe the procedures and shortcomings of physician discipline.

Chapter 6. Mental Health Care

The student should be better able to select appropriate professional help when needed and:

• Describe common mental health problems.
• Describe the types and training of legitimate mental health practitioners.
• Describe the types of legitimate mental health treatments.
• Identify questionable practices related to mental health.
• Describe major problems with mental health care in the United States.

Chapter 7. Dental Care

The student should be better able to make intelligent decisions about dental care and:

• Describe the types of dental personnel.
• Describe the causes and prevention of tooth decay and periodontal disease.
• Describe the importance of fluoride in protecting the teeth.
• Describe and explain the importance of dental self-care.
• Select appropriate dental self-care products.
• Identify the main types of dental restorations.
• Identify questionable dental practitioners and procedures.
• Select appropriate dental practitioners.

Chapter 8. "Alternative" Methods

The student should be better able to draw intelligent conclusions about the utility of "alternative" health care and:

• Explain how difficulty in defining "alternative medicine" has led to confusion about its scope.
• Recognize that the vast majority of methods referred to as "alternative" lack a scientifically plausible rationale.
• Explain why "vitalism" is not a scientifically acceptable concept.
• Describe the theories, practices, and shortcomings of commonly promoted "alternative" methods.
• Explain why "alternative" promoters seek to abolish consumer protection laws that require products and services to be proven effective before they are marketed.

Chapter 9. Self-Care

The student should be better able to select appropriate self-care activities when needed.

• Describe the types and purposes of health promotion activities.
• Describe the limitations of self-diagnosis.
• Describe when it is advisable to consult a physician.
• Identify reliable self-care resources.
• Describe the potential benefits and pitfalls of self-care groups.

Chapter 10. Health-Care Facilities

The student should be better able to understand the types and intelligent use of health-care facilities and:

• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of outpatient health-care facilities.
• Describe the nature and significance of accreditation.
• Identify the characteristics of a good hospital.
• Apply intelligent consumer strategies if hospitalized.
• Identify the types of home-care personnel and services.
• Locate and select a nursing home.
• Identify alternatives to nursing home care.

Chapter 11. Basic Nutrition Concepts

The student should be better able to apply basic nutrition concepts to choose a healthful diet and:

• Identify the major food components, nutrient needs, and basic food groups.
• List the ten Dietary Guidelines for Americans
• Discuss what consumers need to know to choose a healthful diet.
• Interpret nutrition labels on food products.
• Identify approved and unapproved nutrition and health claims on food labels.
• Apply the Food Guide Pyramid to choose or evaluate a diet.
• Describe special dietary concerns associated with folic acid, calcium, and sodium.
• Describe the possible advantages and disadvantages of vegetarian diets.
• State where to obtain reliable nutrition information.

Chapter 12. Food Fads, Fallacies, and Scams

The student should be better able to question popular food fads and fallacies, their promotion, and their promoters and:

• Define food faddism and nutrition quackery.
• Identify and discuss the basic myths that underlie food fads and quackery.
• Discuss the dangers of the excessive use of supplements.
• Describe appropriate use of dietary supplements.
• Explain why the terms "health foods," "organic foods," and "natural foods" are inherently misleading.
• Discuss uses of supplements and "health foods" that lack scientific support.
• Discuss the purpose, safety, and regulation of food additives.
• Describe problems with the herbal products marketplace.
• Explain how questionable nutrition products, practices, and services are promoted.
• Identify promoters of questionable nutrition.

Chapter 13. Weight Control

The student should be better able to discuss the principles and methods of weight control and:

• Identify the risks of obesity and the pitfalls of "dieting."
• Discuss the importance of exercise in weight control.
• Identify eating disorders that may cause serious health problems.
• Describe the pitfalls of commonly promoted questionable diets.
• Discuss the shortcomings of appetite-suppressant drugs.
• State the shortcomings of commonly marketed nonprescription "diet pills."
• Name the common types of questionable "diet pills," procedures, and devices.
• Discuss the nature and use of low-calorie products and artificial sweeteners.
• Report on the nature and effectiveness of weight-control organizations.
• List suggestions for safe and effective weight control.

Chapter 14. Exercise Concepts, Products, and Services

The student should be better able to discuss why and how people should exercise appropriately.

• Describe the types, benefits, and hazards of exercise activities.
• Design an appropriate personal exercise program.
• Debunk a variety of common exercise myths.
• Select suitable equipment and facilities.
• Judge questionable devices, equipment, and "ergogenic aids."
• Describe the qualifications of sportsmedicine personnel.
• Identify the effects and hazards of anabolic steroids.

Chapter 15. Cardiovascular Disease

The student should be better able to take intelligent action to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and

• Identify the most important independent risk factors for coronary heart disease and strokes.
• Discuss the screening tests, risk assessment, and lifestyle modifications for preventing these conditions.
• Describe how blood cholesterol and homocysteine levels relate to the risk of developing heart disease and what people with abnormal levels should do.
• Describe the relationship between diet, exercise, and blood cholesterol levels.
• Describe the principles of dietary modification for cholesterol control.
• Discuss strategies for preventing and treating high blood pressure.
• Describe diagnostic procedures for evaluating the structure and function of the heart.
• Describe surgical procedures used to restore blood flow to the heart.

Chapter 16. Arthritis and Related Disorders

The student should be better able to make intelligent decisions about the products and services available for arthritis treatment and:

• Discuss the course and science-based treatment of common types of arthritis.
• Discuss the course and treatment of fibromyalgia.
• Explain susceptibility to arthritis quackery.
• Identify questionable methods of treating arthritis.
• Locate reliable sources of information.

Chapter 17. Cancer

The student should be better able to make intelligent decisions about the prevention and treatment of cancer and:

• List the factors that place consumers at risk of developing cancer.
• Identify the measures advisable to prevent cancer.
• Identify questionable methods used in the treatment of cancer.
• Discuss the factors related to consumer susceptibility to cancer quackery.
• Discuss how questionable cancer treatments are promoted.
• List reliable sources of information.

Chapter 18. AIDS

The student should be better able to form judgments about the public health impact, prevention, and treatment of AIDS.

• Discuss the nature and course of the disease.
• Describe how AIDS is transmitted and can be prevented.
• Explain the significance of AIDS test procedures and results.

Chapter 19. Drug Products

The student should be better able to make prudent selection and use of drug products and:

• Interpret the terminology of drug labels and prescriptions.
• Describe proper use of common OTC drug products.
• List the items appropriate for a home medicine cabinet.
• Identify several reliable drug information references.
• Implement strategies for prudent selection and use of drug products.

Chapter 20. Skin Care and Beauty Aids

The student should be better able to make prudent decisions about skin and hair care and cosmetic surgery and:

• Use soaps, moisturizers, or other skin-care products appropriately.
• Distinguish between antiperspirants and deodorants.
• Shop for and utilize self-care and professional care for acne.
• Explain how to care for the scalp and hair.
• Identify the causes of and treatment options for hair loss.
• Describe how ultraviolet rays damage the skin and how to reduce exposure to them.
• Distinguish among the types, benefits, and hazards of common cosmetic surgery procedures.

Chapter 21. Especially for Women

The student should be better able to take prudent actions related to reproductive and women's health issues and

• Compare and contrast menstrual and vaginal hygiene problems and products.
• Compare and contrast the types, effectiveness rates, and risks of birth-control methods.
• Form judgments about issues related to therapeutic abortion.
• Discuss the significance of osteoporosis and how it can be prevented.
• Discuss consumer problems and choices related to infertility treatment, genetic testing, and genetic counseling.
• Appraise the benefits and risks of hormone-replacement therapy.
• Identify several questionable procedures commonly performed on women.

Chapter 22. Health Devices

The student should be better able to Discuss the problems associated with several types of health devices and

• Describe federal regulation of medical devices.
• Select vision products and services prudently.
• Make prudent selection of a hearing aid.
• Recognize a dubious water-purifier promotion.
• Discuss the problem of latex sensitivity.
• Recognize and avoid quack medical devices.

Chapter 23. Coping with Death

The student should be better able to make prudent decisions about practices, procedures, and products related to death and:

• Make personal choices about advance medical directive options.
• Appraise the nature and benefits of hospice care.
• Discuss organ donation and transplantation and how to express one's willingness for posthumous donation.
• Discuss the nature and legal status of euthanasia and assisted suicide.
• Distinguish between normal and abnormal grief.
• Discuss help available for the bereaved.
• Shop for postmortem arrangements in accord with personal needs.
• Identify quackery related to aging.

Chapter 24. Health Insurance

The student should be better able to select and utilize an appropriate health insurance plan and:

• Interpret the terminology and provisions of common insurance plans.
• Compare the value of health insurance plans.
• Judge when long-term care insurance is needed.
• Discuss how to compare insurance.
• Discuss the procedures for collecting insurance benefits.
• Interpret an insurance payment (explanation of benefits) statement.

Health Care Economics

The student should be better able to discuss the problems in our health care system and what might be done personally and politically to solve them and:

• Discuss how and why health care expenditures have accelerated.
• Describe cost-control strategies for providers, employers, and consumers.
• Identify and discuss several types of insurance fraud.
• Contrast the problems of America's health-care system with those of the Canadian system.
• Discuss the issues involved in national health insurance and other proposals for health reform.
• Manage personal health-care costs.

Chapter 26. Consumer Laws, Agencies, and Strategies

The student should be better able to discuss how government agencies, voluntary groups, and informed consumers can strive to create an ethical health marketplace and

• Explain how government agencies attempt to protect consumers.
• Discuss developments in federal consumer protection law during the twentieth century.
• Identify nongovernmental consumer-protection organizations.
• Complain to relevant agencies when significant problems are encountered.