期刊论文详细信息
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 卷:19
Herbal supplements in the print media: communicating benefits and risks
Flavia Bruno1  Martina Laccisaglia1  Mihaela Badea2  Monique Raats3  Lada Timotijevic3  Matthew Peacock3  Bernadette Egan3  Charo Hodgkins3 
[1] Centre of Studies in Drug Communication, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Of Milan;
[2] Department of Fundamental, Prophylactic and Clinical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, Transylvania University of Brasov;
[3] Food, Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey;
关键词: Food supplements;    Herbal remedies;    Consumer information;    Print media;    Self-medication;   
DOI  :  10.1186/s12906-019-2602-9
来源: DOAJ
【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background The rise in use of food supplements based on botanical ingredients (herbal supplements) is depicted as part of a trend empowering consumers to manage their day-to-day health needs, which presupposes access to clear and accurate information to make effective choices. Evidence regarding herbal supplement efficacy is extremely variable so recent regulations eliminating unsubstantiated claims about potential effects leave producers able to provide very little information about their products. Medical practitioners are rarely educated about herbal supplements and most users learn about them via word-of-mouth, allowing dangerous misconceptions to thrive, chief among them the assumption that natural products are inherently safe. Print media is prolific among the information channels still able to freely discuss herbal supplements. Method This study thematically analyses how 76 newspaper/magazine articles from the UK, Romania and Italy portray the potential risks and benefits of herbal supplements. Results Most articles referenced both risks and benefits and were factually accurate but often lacked context and impartiality. More telling was how the risks and benefits were framed in service of a chosen narrative, the paucity of authoritative information allowing journalists leeway to recontextualise herbal supplements in ways that serviced the goals and values of their specific publications and readerships. Conclusion Providing sufficient information to empower consumers should not be the responsibility of print media, instead an accessible source of objective information is required.

【 授权许可】

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