Laney Health Resources Page
Becoming a Health-Literate Consumer
Becoming an informed Health Consumer
First, we must understand what it means to be a health consumer. As a teen, you will spend a lot of time using health products like lotion, toothpaste, sun block, deodorant, cologne, acne products, etc.... You are at a time in your life that you are trying to establish your identity and independence. So, what is a health consumer? A health consumer is anyone who purchases or uses health products. In order to become a more informed health consumer, you must learn more about the products you use and why you chose some products over other products. It is also understanding your rights as a consumer and the effects a product will have on you physically, pyschologically, and financially.
What Influences Your Decisions?
The biggest influence on our choices is the media. The media is the different methods we are provided information. Some examples of media sources are television, radio, newspapers, newspapers, and the internet. The key question to ask youself when you are reading, watching, or listening to one of the media sources is, "what is the purpose of this advertisement? " Advertisement is a written or spoken media message designed to gain the interests of consumers in purchasing a product or service.
Doing Your Homework
With all the adverstisements, it can be difficult to know what is the best product for you. Here's a suggestion that will help you in your selection. Let's start by comparison shopping. Comparison shopping is a process of judging the benefits of different products by comparing several factors, such as quality, warranty, safety, features, cost, and recommendations. Another determinant is convenience. How easy is it for you to purchase the item? Are stores within a reasonable distance?
Online Shopping
That leads us to the next option of convenience and that is online shopping. As it sounds, online shopping involves using the internet to purchase products and services. In many cases, you can find better prices for similar products. You will need your parents to purchase online. It is best to get your parents permission and have them check out the website first. You then want to make sure that the site is a secure site so that important information like credit card information is not accessible to others. You will also need to check for a return policy. Problems you may face with online shopping include not being able to return items, not physically being able to inspect items, and fraud.
Consumer Rights
As a consumer, you need to know that you have rights. Sometimes, you hear of people abusing these rights. We are going to briefly explain your rights as a consumer. In short, you have the right to safety, to choose, to be informed, to be heard, and to have problems corrected.
Managing Consumer Problems
Health Fraud
As mentioned earlier, as new health consumers, you have to look out for health fraud. What is fraud? Fraud is when a business purposely uses false information to get you to purchase their product. The two types of products at the top of the health fraud products list are weight-loss products and beauty and antiaging products.
Malpractice
Another type of health fraud deals with services rendered. When a health professional fails to meet accepted standards it is called malpractice. The best way to avoid malpractice is to get a second opinion from another health professional.
Understanding Health Services
Health services in the United States over the last decade has become one of the top concerns of Americans. Why is it important for teens to understand how health services work? Maybe the number one reason is that you will be an adult soon and you will have to be health literate in this area if you want to get the best services for your money. Unlike many other countries, all Americans are not granted free health coverage.
Health Care System
Health care system is the culmination of all medical care available to a nation's people, the way they receive care, and the method of payment. In our system, we pay or, if you are lucky, your job or parent's job pays your medical expenses. A large percentage of Americans do not have health insurance. Health insurance is a plan in which private companies or government programs pay for part or all of a person's medical cost.
Information for this webpage is for informational purposes only. More information about the topics on this page can be found in our school health book.
Reference:
Merki, M.B., Merki, D. (2004). Glencoe Health: Ninth Edition. New York: McGraw Hill.
