Vaccines for Children: List By Age, Benefits, Safety

Dr. Oz Became Famous Giving Health Advice. Was It Any Good?

Dr. Mehmet Oz built his television empire on the simple promise that you can take control of your health.

Over 13 seasons of "The Dr. Oz Show," from 2009 to 2022, he told viewers what to eat, how to exercise, what supplements to take and when to worry about symptoms.

The heart surgeon turned daytime host is an unconventional pick to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees health insurance programs for more than 150 million people nationwide. Nonetheless, his longtime focus on prevention seems to align with the Trump administration's stated intentions to address America's chronic disease "epidemic."

The New York Times analyzed claims Dr. Oz has made about preventive health measures across 2,500 television appearances, clips from "The Dr. Oz Show," social media posts and other public statements. We then asked experts to weigh in on the evidence behind some of his common claims.

Much of Dr. Oz's advice is rooted in strong science and conventional wisdom: Eat well, move more, prioritize sleep. But he has also frequently pushed products and hacks that have little to no scientific evidence showing that they stave off disease, drawing scrutiny from members of Congress and from researchers. In some cases, he has had financial ties to the products he has promoted.

Some of his claims have raised concerns among medical experts about how Dr. Oz might use his perch if he is confirmed.

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Understand The Importance Of Preventative Care

Preventive care is essential for maintaining good health and overall well-being. By engaging in regular check-ups and screenings, you can identify potential health issues early on, which allows you to take necessary steps to prevent them from developing into serious problems. Early detection helps promote a healthier, longer life by addressing concerns before they escalate.

One of the key benefits of preventive care is the potential to lower healthcare costs in the long run. By addressing health concerns early on, you can avoid more expensive treatments and procedures that might be necessary if a condition progresses. Additionally, preventive care can help you stay healthier, leading to fewer sick days and increased productivity in both your work and personal life. Investing in preventive care not only saves money on healthcare expenses but also helps develop habits that could extend your lifespan. So, what exactly is considered preventive care?

Preventive care aims to help people maintain a healthy lifestyle and can be broken up into two categories: Services and activities. Services are the preventive measures that are usually performed by a healthcare provider. Services can include vaccinations, screenings, health counseling, and regular doctor checkups. Preventive activities include things like brushing your teeth, eating healthy, exercising, meditating, and taking vitamins or supplements. It's important to stay informed about both types of preventive care to ensure you're taking the right steps toward overall well-being. So, where can you find information on preventive care?

The goal of the Community Engagement Grants division at the Victoria County Public Health Department (VCPHD) is to improve public health outcomes by collaborating with community members and local organizations to increase access to preventive health education and resources. By offering opportunities for health education, physical activity, and health resources, Victoria County residents are empowered to take control of their health and make informed decisions about their well-being. The health department offers a variety of resource information and has on-site Community Health Workers who can assist you with the first steps on your health journey.

Overall, preventive care has many benefits and plays a vital role in creating a healthier you. By incorporating healthy behaviors into your daily routine, you can not only save money but also save your life. Small, consistent efforts today can help you avoid serious health issues down the road, leading to a longer, more vibrant life. Take the first step toward better health today—your future self will thank you!

Ashley Cano is the Program Manager of the Community Engagement Grants division at the Victoria County Public Health Department (VCPHD). Her background in nursing and health education drives her passion for community wellness, and she enjoys sharing health resources and implementing public health programming. If you'd like to learn more about the Community Engagement Grants division at VCPHD or access additional health education resources, please get in touch with Ashley via email at acano@vctx.Org.

Social Networks Have A Powerful Influence On Disease Prevention

Preventing diseases like malaria often relies on individual choices, but a new study shows that social connections play a more significant role than previously thought.

Health campaigns typically focus on educating individuals about prevention methods, assuming people will make rational decisions based on available information. However, researchers have found that the behaviors of friends, family, and community members strongly influence whether someone adopts protective measures.

This research highlights the importance of social ties in shaping health behaviors. People are more likely to use bed nets, insect repellents, and protective clothing if they see others around them doing the same.

While personal awareness and expert advice matter, the study suggests that social influences outweigh these factors. Understanding how behaviors spread within communities could help improve public health efforts, making disease prevention more effective and sustainable.

Social ties shape malaria prevention

Researchers conducted a study in ten rural villages in India, focusing on malaria prevention behaviors. Their goal was to determine what influences people's decisions to adopt preventative measures.

The study examined whether factors like education, personal health awareness, and professional medical advice played a key role or if social networks had a stronger impact.

The findings revealed that social exposure is the most significant factor in determining whether individuals take action against malaria.

The study also emphasized the role of households as primary spaces where health-related discussions take place. Instead of making independent decisions, people tend to follow the behavior of those closest to them.

Social networks and disease prevention

The research was conducted by experts from the University of Birmingham, the University of Manchester, the Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong, New York University, and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The team introduced a new framework for analyzing the impact of social networks on disease prevention.

"Social networks can either help or hinder disease prevention efforts that rely on a combination of behaviours. For example, if your friends and family use insect repellents, you are much more likely to use them yourself," noted Dr. András Vörös from the University of Birmingham.

This suggests that health interventions should not only provide information but also encourage communities to adopt healthier behaviors collectively.

Role of households in health behaviors

One of the most striking findings of the study was the influence of households on health behaviors. People tend to discuss health matters with family members more than with outsiders.

These discussions shape their choices regarding disease prevention. If health information is introduced within a household, there is a higher chance that multiple members will adopt preventative measures.

In contrast, expert advice and personal factors like age, gender, and education had a much smaller impact on prevention behaviors. Even when individuals were aware of health risks, they were less likely to take action unless their social circles reinforced those behaviors.

This insight highlights the need for public health initiatives that target entire families rather than individuals. When an entire household is engaged in prevention efforts, the likelihood of consistent and long-term adherence increases.

People follow social trends

"We found that people do not necessarily adopt prevention behaviors in bundles, but rather tend to simply adopt ones which are common among the people they talk to. Exposure to preventative behaviors within someone's social network is the main factor influencing whether they adopt those same," Dr. Vörös noted.

This means that people do not necessarily follow expert recommendations in full. Instead, they pick and choose based on what they see others doing. If someone in their social circle starts using insect repellent but not bed nets, they are likely to do the same.

This pattern suggests that public health interventions should focus on promoting common behaviors within social groups. If a campaign successfully encourages a few influential individuals to adopt protective measures, those behaviors are likely to spread naturally throughout the community.

Public programs and social influence

Given these findings, public health campaigns need to shift from targeting individuals to engaging with groups. Instead of simply informing people about prevention measures, programs should focus on encouraging community leaders and other influential figures to promote these behaviors.

Community-based strategies could include training local leaders to educate their social circles about the importance of malaria prevention. When trusted individuals endorse certain health measures, people are more likely to follow their example.

Additionally, household-level interventions could be more effective than targeting individuals separately. When a whole family is encouraged to adopt protective measures, they reinforce these behaviors for one another, leading to longer-lasting results.

A broader perspective

Although this study focused on malaria prevention in rural India, its findings apply to various diseases and locations worldwide.

Social networks influence how people respond to health threats beyond malaria, including other infectious and non-communicable diseases.

By recognizing the power of social influence, health organizations can design more effective strategies to encourage prevention. Understanding that people follow the behaviors of those around them allows for better-targeted interventions that result in greater public health improvements.

In the fight against disease, knowledge is important, but social influence plays an even bigger role. Public health efforts that embrace this reality can lead to lasting changes and healthier communities.

The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports.

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