Wise Consumer Choices: Health Literacy Guide

1. Chapter 3 Warm-Up Suppose that you purchased a new iPad that broke the first time you used it. Explain how you would deal with the problem.

2. Chapter 3 Notes Being a Health-Literate Consumer

3. Making Consumer Choices – Lesson 1 • Your life is full of choices regarding Health Care Services and Products. • Now-Shampoo, Skin Cleansers, Deodorant. • As an Adult - Doctors, Dentists, Medical Insurance, etc. • Learning about available products and services, and judging their effectiveness and reliability is part of becoming an informed health consumer.

4. Influences on Your Decisions • External Factors • Opinions of Family and Friends. • Cost • Media and Advertising • Example: AXE Body Spray Advertisements • Hidden Messages are used in Advertising to persuade consumers to purchase their products.

5. Hidden Messages in AdvertisingJust write the first word or phrase. • Bandwagon – Everyone is using it, you should too. • Rich and Famous – It will make you feel rich and famous. • Free Gifts – It’s too good a deal to pass up. • Great outdoors – If it’s associated with nature, it must be healthy. • Good times – The product will add fun to your life. • Testimonial – It worked for them, so it will work for you too!

6. Comparison Choices • Comparison Shopping is very important to becoming a Wise Consumer. • Factors to consider in Comparison Shopping. • Cost • Features • Quality • Warranty • Safety • Recommendations

7. Lesson 2 – Choosing Health Care Services • Health Care Specialists • Allergist – Allergies • Dermatologist – Skin Diseases/Acne • Gynecologist – Female Reproductive System • Neurologist – Nervous System Problems • Oncologist – Cancer • Ophthalmologist – Care of eyes • Orthopedist – Skeletal Deformities or Injuries • Psychiatrist – Mental Health • Urologist – Urinary Tract Problems

8. Lesson 3 – Managing Consumer Problems • Health Fraud, also known as Quackery. • Fraudulent Products • Weight Loss Products – Do not create a Long-Term Change in Eating Behavior. • Beauty and Anti-Aging Products – Offer temporary results typically. • Check that products are approved by the FDA! • Miracle Cures for things like arthritis or cancer are most likely fraudulent. • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

9. Lesson 4 – Understanding Public Health Services • Public Health Agencies • Local Level – State, County, and City Health Departments focus on Disease Prevention • National Level – Work to protect Health. • National Cancer Institute (NCI) • Environmental Protection Agency – Protect country’s Air, Water, Land • OSHA – Prevent injuries and safeguard the health of workers.

10. continued • National Level Agencies • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Leads federal Anti-hunger efforts. • Food & Drug Administration (FDA) – Ensures the safety of food, drugs, and cosmetics. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) – Conduct research and collect data to help control the spread of diseases.