Consumer Health Digest is a free weekly e-mail newsletter edited by William M. London, Ed.D., M.P.H., with help from Stephen Barrett, M.D., It summarizes scientific reports; legislative developments; enforcement actions; other news items; Web site evaluations; recommended and nonrecommended books; research tips; and other information relevant to consumer protection and consumer decision-making. The Digest’s primary focus is on health, but occasionally it includes non-health scams and practical tips. Items posted to this archive may be updated when relevant information becomes available. To subscribe, click here.
Simone Gold sued. The COVID-19 and vaccine-misinformation group, America’s Frontline Doctors (AFLDS), and its current chairman are suing Simone Gold, M.D., J.D. [Hurt A. Anti-vax doctor Simone Gold sued by America’s Frontline Doctors, the group she founded. Medscape, Nov 10, 2022] The complaint alleges:
- In February 2022, Gold resigned from the AFLDS board and was removed as its executive director.
- Gold improperly used AFLDS charitable funds to purchase a $3.6 million home in Naples, Florida, for her personal rent-free use, and at least three vehicles.
- Gold improperly used AFLDS money to fund her personal lifestyle and cover her expenses since she formed AFLDS.
- Despite having no role as director, officer, or employee with the organization, Gold interfered with AFLDS operations, funds, donor relationships, and employee relationships.
- Gold converted and improperly asserted control over AFLDS information technology, bank accounts, money, and other resources.
- Gold defamed and disparaged the current AFLDS board Chairman, Joseph Gilbert, and others associated with AFLDS.
- Gold fraudulently held herself out at as a representative, officer, and director of AFLDS.
- Gold tried to illegally and fraudulently wrest control from the AFLDS Board of Directors.
A few days after the suit was filed, AFLDS asked the court to order Gold to stop the activities mentioned in the suit. The judge denied the motion, stating that it did not provide sufficient reason to warrant immediate court intervention. The activities of Gold and AFLDS are summarized on Quackwatch. [Barrett S. A skeptical look at Simone Gold and America’s Frontline Doctors. Quackwatch, Nov 8, 2022]
Alex Jones ordered to pay for his “malicious”conduct. Alex Jones, who has become wealthy hawking dietary supplements through his Infowars media empire, and his company Free Speech Systems, have been ordered by a Connecticut judge to pay $473 million in punitive damages to families of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. Jones repeatedly lied, saying that the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history was a hoax. Judge Barbara Bellis wrote:
- “The record clearly supports the plaintiff’s argument that the defendants’ conduct was intentional and malicious, and certain to cause harm by virtue of their infrastructure, ability to spread content, and massive audience including the ‘infowarriors.’”
- “The record also establishes that the defendants repeated the conduct and attacks on the plaintiffs for nearly a decade, including during the trial, wanton, malicious, and heinous conduct that caused harm to the plaintiffs. This depravity, and cruel, persistent course of conduct by the defendants establishes the highest degree of reprehensibility and blameworthiness.”
[Mahony EH. Judge hits Infowars host Alex Jones with new $473 million in damages, bringing total he owes relatives of Sandy Hook shooting victims to $1.4 billion, Hartford Courant, Nov 10, 2022]
The punitive damages are in addition to $965 million dollars in compensatory damages the Connecticut jury ordered the defendants to pay to the families of eight victims and an FBI agent who responded to the attack. The lawsuit alleged defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violations of the state Unfair Trade Practices Act. [Ali SS. Alex Jones must pay $965 million in damages to families of 8 Sandy Hook victims. NBC News, Oct 12, 2022] In a separate defamation case in Texas, Jones also was ordered to pay punitive damages. [Lenzen C. Jury awards parents of Sandy Hook victim more than $45 million in punitive damages in Alex Jones defamation case. The Texas Tribune, Aug 5, 2022]
India’s Chief Justice speaks out against quackery. Speaking at the inaugural National Academy of Medical Sciences on ‘Law and Medicine,’ Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said:
- “Quackery is the biggest disease affecting India.”
- Hospitals are “being run like companies, where profit-making is more important than service to society.”
- “Another side of lack of accessible healthcare is giving space to quacks. Quackery begins where awareness ends. Where there is room for myths, there is room for quackery.”
- “Owing to the financial and time constraints, a huge majority of the Indian population approaches these untrained and uncertified doctors. Lack of awareness and knowledge, misplaced belief, and sheer inaccessibility has massive ramifications on the health of the country, particularly the rural and under-privileged India.”
- “The need of the hour is to bring in legislation to save people from falling prey to fraudulent practices in the name of treatment.”
- “Private hospitals are being opened at an exponential rate. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but there is a glaring need for balance. We are seeing hospitals being run like companies, where profit-making is more important than service to society.”
[Quackery is the biggest disease affecting India: CJI. The Economic Times (India), Aug 24, 2022]
Insufficient evidence found for screening youth for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has concluded that current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents who have no symptoms. [Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents: Screening. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Final Recommendation Statement, Sept 13, 2022] A JAMA Patient Page explains the recommendation. [Jin J. Screening for type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. JAMA, Sept 13, 2022]
Last year the USPSTF concluded with moderate certainty that screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in adults aged 35 to 70 who are overweight or obese, and offering or referring patients with prediabetes to effective preventive lifestyle interventions has a moderate net benefit. [Jin J. Screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. JAMA, Aug 24/31, 2021]
Kendrick Frazier, editor of Skeptical Inquirer, has died. Kendrick Frazier, who has been the editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine for nearly all of its 46-year history, has died at age 80 following a brief illness. [Kendrick Frazier, longtime Editor of Skeptical Inquirer, has died at age 80 (updating). Center for Inquiry, Nov 7, 2022] Frazier expanded the scope of topical coverage of the magazine beyond its initial emphasis on pseudoscientific and paranormal claims. The magazine has become an important consumer health education resource. Edward Tabash, Chair of the Center for Inquiry Board of Directors, honored Frazier’s career. The Center for Inquiry set up a remembrance page for Frazier where donations can also be left in his memory.
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