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