Health

Not So Tough On Drugs After All

by Bob Burton — November 28, 2005 - 5:15am

Professor Andrew Herx-heimer, emeritus fellow at the UK Cochrane Centre, told the British Medical Journal that changes to the British drug industry's voluntary code of practice were minimal. "This is very competent window dressing but not much has changed at all," he said.

Main Source: 
British Medical Journal, November 26, 2005

Fake News for a Good Cause?

by Diane Farsetta — November 18, 2005 - 4:30pm

"CBS affiliate WUSA-TV was charging the [Washington] DC government as much as $100,000 annually to promote breast cancer awareness during newscasts." From 2002 to 2004, anchors at the Gannett-owned station were required to encourage viewers to go to the station's website for information about breast cancer - next to a banner ad for the city's Human Services Department. Through their "Buddy Check 9" program, the TV station also encouraged viewers to remind women friends or family members to perform self-exams for breast cancer.

Main Source: 
PR Week (sub req'd), November 17, 2005

Disease Is Also Sell

by Diane Farsetta — November 16, 2005 - 4:20pm

As "part of a cultural shift that increasingly sees health problems as lifestyles rather than diseases," food marketers are targeting the chronically ill "as the new much-reach demographic." Groceries have "heart healthy" sections because there are more than 70 million U.S. residents with heart problems, representing "$71 billion in annual buying power." The nation's 21 million diabetics "command about $14 billion" and "about two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese," writes the Associated Press.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, November 10, 2005

Lawyers, Drugs and Ad Money

by Diane Farsetta — November 15, 2005 - 5:54pm

West Virginia's Pharmaceutical Cost Management Council unanimously approved "a financial disclosure form that would require pharmaceutical companies to reveal how much they spend on advertising and promotion of brand-name drugs" in the state, as well as any "gifts, grants or payments to physicians" in excess of $25.

Main Source: 
The Charleston Gazette (West Virginia), November 11, 2005

American Cancer Society Silent on California Safe Cosmetics Act

by Laura Miller — November 7, 2005 - 6:38pm

With the passage of the California Safe Cosmetics Act of 2005, cosmetics companies will have to tell California state health officials about the ingredients in their products that might cause cancer. It would seem that the American Cancer Society would be a natural supporter of this kind of legislation, but grassroots cancer-prevention organizers found this not to be the case. "The bill’s proponents said that one of the new law’s biggest obstacles was the silence of the ACS, the most powerful cancer-research and cancer-lobbying organization in the world.

Main Source: 
Sacramento News & Review, November 3, 2005

They're Krafty

by Diane Farsetta — November 2, 2005 - 11:13am

After "a major government-commissioned study found advertising contributes to childhood obesity" and two bills before Congress "proposed regulation of children's advertising," Kraft, "the nation's biggest food company," knew it "risked being depicted as a corporate villain." So, in January, the company "announced it would quit advertising certain products to kids under 12." While some criticized Kraft's continued use of cartoons and questioned whether the company should be able to decide "what's healthy and what isn't," policymakers praised Kraft.

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub. req'd.), October 31, 2005

Still Doctoring the Facts

by Diane Farsetta — October 19, 2005 - 9:59am

"When American corporations come up against inconvenient science," writes Bill Hogan, "they call in the American Council on Science and Health." The group's medical / executive director, Dr. Gilbert Ross, has "defended the Wood Preservative Science Council, saying ...

Main Source: 
Mother Jones magazine, November / December 2005

Toxic Sludge, Soda and Beer Are All Good for You!

by Diane Farsetta — October 18, 2005 - 5:05pm

After a survey found that only 10 percent of respondents rated PepsiCo as a company that was "concerned with my health," the soft drink company is launching "a new advertising campaign for its 'Smart Spot' products." Pepsi rates more than 200 of its products as healthier, "Smart Spot" foods, including diet soda and baked potato chips. Pepsi will also launch a pilot project, called "Perfect Storm," later this year, "in a major U.S.

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub. req'd.), October 15, 2005

Ketchum Catches No Heat, Gets New Contract

by Diane Farsetta — October 11, 2005 - 2:38pm

As part of a $300 million, three-year U.S. government effort encouraging seniors to sign up for the new Medicare prescription drug program, the PR firm Ketchum won a $25 million contract, including $2 million in fees, to manage the advertising campaign.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, October 10, 2005
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