Truth, Lies, and Public Health

Truth, Lies, and Public Health: How We Are Affected When Science and Politics Collide

Madelon Lubin Finkel

1stPublisher: Praeger PublishersFormat: Hardcover

The “politcalization” of research findings has become prevalent over the past two decades. Politics often prevents the implementation of policy supported by irrefutable science. Most of us understand something about how this is happening with stem cell research, but Cornell's Finkel delves deep into the subject to make the issues clear, and she reveals how ideology and politics are distorting, diminishing, and destroying scientific research results regarding topics from needle exchange to medical marijuana use and HIV/AIDS prevention. When ideology - whether it is the ideology of scientists and clinicians, or politicians - distorts scientific judgment, public welfare is endangered, Finkel shows. And every person in the nation can be affected, she adds. She also discusses how research is funded and how ideology has influenced that process. Numerous examples are given to illustrate the consequences of co-opting the scientific integrity of a program in this way.Public health policies traced back and discussed in this book include those focused on: Needle exchange programs; Silicone breast implants; Medical marijuana; Alcohol; HIV/AIDS Treatment; Tuberculosis control; Dietary supplements; The obesity crisis; Cancer screening; and, Use of antibiotics in the food chain.

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