Can you trust your health to the Internet?
Nearly 8 million Americans search the Internet daily for medical advice on everything from bumps and bruises to cancer. But consumers should beware: this growing phenomenon of instantaneous medical advice, offered by "Google PhDs," has a dark and dangerous side. "Anyone" can put seemingly authoritative medical advice on the Internet whether or not it has any scientific merit. In this provocative and eye-opening book, prominent health policy expert and journalist Dr. Robert Goldberg reveals how the media, trial attorneys, anti-industry activists, and politicians work together to create a shadow campaign of doubt and fear about the safety of medical treatments. Dr. Goldberg reveals how the internet is used to scare the public and hide a political agenda, while preying on people's insecurities to the ultimate detriment of both the individual and public health. Dr. Goldberg investigates the rise of the "instant expert," and shows how this new style of medical debate allows sensationalism and celebrity status to outweigh science and knowledge. "Tabloid Medicine" also uncovers how anti-pharmaceutical movements on the Internet not only drive people away from taking vaccines and medicines that have been proven to work, they also undermine medical progress across the board. Because of this dangerous trend, the number of new vaccines and drugs in development is at an all-time low, despite the wealth of medical knowledge and genetic technology available. With Dr. Goldberg's help, consumers will know where to look for health information and how to put public safety back in the hands of medical professionals.
