Monday, February 29, 2016

Health Care Advertising Criticized

From Consumer Health Digest #16-08, February 28 2016

 The New York Times has examined the harmful aspects of advertising by drug companies, hospitals, and clinics.[Rosenthal E. Ask your doctor if this ad is right for you. The New York Times, Feb 27, 2016] A study published in 2014 concluded that clinical advertisements by cancer centers frequently promote cancer therapy with emotional appeals that evoke hope and fear while rarely providing information about risks, benefits, costs, or insurance availability. [Vater LB and others. What are cancer centers advertising to the public? A content analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine 160:813-820, 2014] One of the study's authors told the Times reporter that their research "debunks the notion that advertising empowers patients to make better choices." The United States and New Zealand are the only two countries that allow consumer advertising for drugs. The American Medical Association has recommended that advertising for drugs and medical devices directed toward consumers be banned. A 2010 report by the study's lead author provides additional insight into the problem.

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