health: consumerism part 1

what is consumerism?

• a social and economic ideology that emphasizes the acquisition and consumption of goods and services as a primary means of achieving personal satisfaction and societal progress

• promotes the idea that buying more = better quality of life

health consumer and 3 products of consumer health

• examines health information to make informed decisions when purchasing health products or health services

• 3 products of consumer health: health info, health products, health services

health products

items we consume to improve our well-being (medicine, supplements, food, drinks, cosmetics, devices, vaccines)

health services

programs we avail from physicians, nurses, therapists, healthworkers, clinics, and hospitals

health information

info from printed materials, media, product packages, people’s opinion that influence our choices

criteria for evaluating consumer health products

• health benefits

• product content/product safety

• credibility / validity of information

• product features

• cost-effectiveness

guidelines for selecting and evaluating health products

• bg check

• counter check

• compare and contrast

• follow instructions

• tailor fit

consumer rights

• to choose

• to be heard

• safety

• to be informed

• to satisfaction of basic needs

• to redress or remedy

• to consumer education

• to environmental health