Health Fraud
What is health Fraud? "International act perpetrated to be deceptive in order to gain something of value. It is usually and act of greed. The FDA defines the term health fraud as "articles of unproven effectiveness that are promoted to improve health well being, or appearance (p.47)."
There are so many medicines that claim they can improve something. They "prove" that these products work through advertisement. Of course many people are going to believe that these will work, but many people do not research the product before they buy it. This is a good example of a bad consumer. Being a good consumer would research everything about the product, including ingredients before making a final decision of buying it.
There are so many different types of health fraud. Some of these include, weight loss fraud, fitness fraud, HIV/AIDS fraud, Sexual enhancement products, and many other different scams.
One of the most common fraud's that many people believe is weight loss fraud.
Majority of the United states is over weight or obese. Being skinny like the models in magazines is every ones dreams. Therefore people will do what ever it takes to be thin and beautiful like them. If a product comes out and claims it will make you loose weight. Many people will believe it by the advertisements, but don't research it to see what they don't tell you outside of the AD. Sometimes there can be ingredients that may not be good for you as well. Don't trust a weight loss product unless you have talken to a doctor or have done follow up research!
Health Quackery
"Quackery is pejorative term describing health practices or remedies that have no compelling scientific basis. It is a form of health fraud, may or may not be international."
An example from the textbook of a quackery is ...
"Breast enhancement products have flooded the market. For about $80, consumers can purchase packaged herbs, none of which actually increase breast size. A distributor for Volume-Bust Creme promises, "in two weeks you will have bigger, firmer breasts" and charges almost $34 for 1.7 ounces of the product. Cleavage 4 contains aloe Vera, tea, honey, and natural oils and claims to produce an increase "of 1/2 to 2 cup sizes in 8 weeks." Cleavage 6 breast enhancement capsules , about an ounce costs nearly $80. The breast pump enlarger was marketed for $10 in 1976. Four million women purchased the device. Covering her breasts with the cups- all in a large size- the woman would pup a pedal with her foot. The pedal was connected to the cups by plastic tubing. The enlargement in breast size was because of bruising (p.52).
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/guide/health-quackery-spotting-health-scams
How will you avoid being a victim of a quackery??
I know the rule..."if it's too good to be true then it probably isn't." Most of the time I talk with my doctor before using a new medicine. Even though there is no science to prove it, there is plenty of information on the website that could help you know if the product works or not! Avoidance of being a quackery is simple, have common sense, do research, and talk with a doctor! Also know that if it is too good to be true then it probably is not true!
This website shows ways to "avoid quacks."
http://www.abc.net.au/health/consumerguides/stories/2003/06/05/1837021.htm
Health Insurance
Health Reform-2010
President Obama signed the health care and Education Reconciliation Act. "This act made some changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that had been signed into law a few days before (p.68)."
What is the HCERA/PPACA??
It mandates that U.S citizens and legal residents be covered by some form of health insurance. It has helped people who retire early. Also they do scholarships for college students and loan rep payment programs.
What is COBRA?
"It provides certain former employees, retirees, spouses, former spouses and dependent children the right to temporary continuations of health coverage at group rates (p.79)."
Reflection
This module I lacked a lot! I left everything to the last minute because I had a busy two weeks. Because of this, I felt really stressed and not accomplished. I still managed to get everything done on time and well. It was kind of difficult with the discussions this week because only two other people posted discussion questions. So I couldn't pick which topics I wanted to respond to. There was no other choices, so I had to respond to the only two that posted. Also people who do post discussion questions do not really back up any of their questions with additional information that I could respond and reflect on. So I had to provide them with information. It didn't really feel like I was having a discussion with anyone or learning any new information in someonelse's discussion question.
I have noticed doing the learning journal before the quiz is really beneficial. It is like a review of the chapters before taking the test. Also it helps me understand topics better because I get reflect and elaborate on certain topics in the chapters.
