Newsweek: Oprah’s Medical Advice Sometimes More Harm Than Good
Oprah Winfrey has command of more than 40 million viewers each week, some so devoted they follow her every word without question. A recent investigative report in Newsweek magazine questions her message, though, asking if the “Oprah Effect” produces more harm than good.
At issue is the medical advice dispensed by the show. Critics, like Cynthia Pearson, executive director of the National Women’s Health Network, says the experts and specialists on the Oprah show don’t always bring forth the risks associated with the cures and therapies they tout, especially when it’s a celebrity, not a physician, presenting the information. Given Oprah’s phenomenal influence, many viewers, mostly women, follow her advice blindly, even in the absence of enough objective data to make a choice that’s both safe and effective. Syracuse University professor of television and pop culture, Robert Thompson, says the show gives validity to a number of health claims that many people would otherwise consider really “crackpot ideas.”
Weston Kosova, a Newsweek magazine senior editor, says some of Winfrey’s guests give advice that could actually hurt someone. Some examples cited in the extensive report include the theory comedienne Jenny McCarthy advocates, linking common childhood vaccines to autism, and actress Suzanne Somer’s enthusiasm for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as a means of staying young and beautiful forever.
Responding to queries from CBS News, Oprah said her show focuses on topics, numbering in the thousands, that represent “the human experience,” including stories of personal health triumphs and advice from doctors. She says her trust in the wisdom of her viewing public leads her to believe individuals will seek thorough and legitimate medical advice before embarking on any therapies or treatments they discover while watching her show.
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I have no use for Oprah or the show what is scary is that people follow her blindly. That comment alone is troublesome, when you consider the Pied Piper of talk shows has ??? 40 mil followers.
I think personally she has made a God out of herself. She realizes she has an audience that listens to her every word, and she is also a very involved and busy lady, so I am sure that alot of the decisions for the show are not hers. She would never have the time to review all that is televized. I do like Dr. Oz, but alot of her guests advice should be taken with a grain of salt.
Oprah has made a huge Name for herself because she is a down to earth kind of person Yeah she might have More money than she knows what to do with but with some of her money she has giving and that is what if you are in the postion to give is to give back, I personally don’t watch her show that much, but it isn’t because I think badly of her.And she can’t help what her guest come on her show and say and think..and I would Hope people has free will to think for themselves
Oprah says read that book, people read that book. Oprah says take that medical advice, people take that medical advice. Oprah says believe that, people believe that. Oprah says think that way, people think that way. Oprah says vote for that man, people vote for that man. Very scary. The cult of celebrity surrounding her has reached terrifying proportions.
OPRAH KNOWS ALL. THIS IS A LIE. OPRAH TALKS WITH JESUS. PLEASE! OPRAH CAN CURE YOU! FOLLOW HER ADVICE. THIS ARTICLE IS THE WORK OF SATAN. IN JESUS NAME I PRAY, AMEN!!
Hmmmm. Read through that particular Newsweek and note who the advertisers are. You guessed it - pharmaceutical companies.
I’ve been a practitioner of alternative health methods for many years. The fact that Oprah is just now touting them is only an indication that main stream America is getting fed up with doctors prescribing meds that merely mask symptoms. The only path to good health lies in taking charge of your own health.
Pambie has the right idea. Big Pharma has convinced (with their considreable advertisement budget) mainstream media that it (Big Pharma) has all the answers in their pricey, patented pills. It pretty much runs the FDA so that there is a government stamp of approval and a facade of consumer safety attached to Big Pharma products.
As for Oprah, I watch some of her programs, and she can be entertaining. I’d be surprised if even 25 percent of her audience follows everthything she says. Just because most of her audience members are female doesn’t mean they follow her blindly. Perhaps they admire Oprah because she came from a disadvantaged background and, with the right opportunities, became extemely successful and has been very generous and creative in her philanthropic activities. Can she be over-bearing some times? Sure. Nevertheless, she still produces interesting entertainment and food for thought.
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