UNIT I – CONSUMER HEALTH

• Being a consumer involves building your consumer knowledge on health, which can help you make wise decisions when buying goods and services.

Consumer Health• It refers to the decisions you make about the

purchase and use of health information, products and services that will have a direct effect on your health.

Health Information• These refer to the data and facts about health

products and services you can get from media and people including professionals and agencies.

Health Products• These refer to substances, materials or

equipments prepared or manufactured for you to buy and use for the maintenance of health and the treatment of diseases. • Examples: eyeglasses, appliances, medicines, grooming

aides, etc.

Health Services• These refer to health information, actions,

procedures or work performed to help satisfy your needs and wants as a consumer.• Examples: medical and dental consultation and treatment,

services from beauty parlors and barber shops, etc.

Consumer Health Education• It is the process of assisting you to acquire the

correct information and understanding so that you will be able to make a wise decision about a certain health item.

Guidelines on the Purchase of Goods and Services1.) Judge which products and services will be beneficial, harmful or useless.2.) Know the local laws and regulations that protect consumers.3.) Locate dependable medical, dental and nursing services.4.) Apply knowledge acquired with respect to personal and environmental health in the purchase of personal goods and services.

Reliable Sources of Health Information

1.) Friends, neighbors, relatives – they are reliable sources because the information they will give is true and who will not let us buy products that may harm us.2.) Professionals such as physicians, scientists, teachers – they are reliable because their information will be based on research and studies.3.) Educational institutions – they are schools, colleges or universities which will give us the right information.

• 4.) Media such as radio and television - their information is screened first before they are aired so they cannot give wrong information.

• 5.) Print materials such as magazines, journals, newspapers, books, pamphlets, posters, etc. – their information is screened and edited before they are published.

Unreliable Sources of Health Information1.) Customs and superstitions2.) Information based on ignorance and prejudice3.) Commercialized health information

Objectives of Consumer Health

1.) Assist consumers in choosing better health products and services;2.) Provide information regarding health products the consumers wish to buy and the health services they wish to avail of;3.) Help consumers recognize reliable sources of health information; and 4.) Guide consumers in buying health products and services.

Part I. What to know • Activity 1 Surveys Says !a) What Should I do when my head and body

ache ?b) How many times should i take vitmanins and mineral suplllement?c) What is the best way to make my skin smooth ?d). When is the best time to trim my fingernails?e) What is the most effective way to lose weight?

Activity 2; Group Share• 1. Write a short reflection about activity 1Possible points for reflection:• 1. Where do you think did your classmate

accquire thier answer?• 2. How well do you trust your classmates about

health concerns?

Activity 3 :Stop or GO