Transcript Ch. 4: Being a Health Care Consumer

Ch. 3: Being a Health
Care Consumer
Lesson 1: Making Consumer
Choices
BELL ACTIVITY
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Make 2 lists. One of things you have
bought for yourself in the past two weeks
and one of things your parents have
bought you at your request.
Bell Activity thoughts…
How are these two lists different?
 What does that tell you?
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You, the Consumer p. 60
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How do you spend your money?
– Clothing?
– CDs?
– Food?
– Jewelry?
– Shoes?
Consumer
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Anyone who buys goods and services.
– What is meant by “goods and services”?
Besides being a consumer of goods and
services, you’re also a consumer of
information.
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Commercials, billboards,
advertisements from magazines, etc.
Using Your Purchasing Power
Wisely
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As you get older, you have more money to
spend.
– Increased purchasing power = increased
responsibility.
To choose products and services wisely, you
have to be an informed consumer. You need
to:
– Gather and evaluate facts, make
comparisons, and weigh your options.
Figure 1.3 p. 61
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Why Do You Buy?
– Values
– Family Background
– Power of Advertising
– Influence of Your Peers
– Cost of a Product or Service
– Advice of Salespeople
Media Messages
Media – the various methods for communicating
information
 Mass Media – media that can reach large groups
of people.
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Newspapers & magazines
Books
TV and Radio
Movies
Recordings
Internet
Advertising
Central part of most media
 Magazines, commercials, internet
advertising
 Can be very useful – can make you aware
of various products and provide
information for your purchasing decisions.
 However, advertisements can be
misleading…
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Misleading Advertisements
They may exaggerate positive aspects of a
product and omit negative ones.
 May blend fact and opinion in such a way
that you can’t distinguish between the
two.
 To make wise purchasing decisions, you
need to know the facts.

Do I need that or WANT that?
You must recognize the difference
between your needs (the goods or
services you must have to live) and your
wants (the goods and services you would
like to have but that aren’t essential)
 Sometimes advertisements try to convince
you that your WANTS are your NEEDS.

Being a Wise Consumer of Health
Information
Be wary of any product that promises
“miracle” results in “no time.”
 “Thousands of satisfied customers” – Can
you actually talk to these people?
 Beware of products claiming “scientific
breakthroughs.” True breakthroughs are
rare and would be reported in the news.
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Understanding Advertising Methods
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Informational – a longer TV commercial whose
main purpose appears to be to present
information
– Ex: political candidates to home work out equipment
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Image ads link a product or service to a
desirable image.
– May show carefree skiers or blissfully happy couples.
Message is usually the same: “This could be you!”
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Endorsement – a statement of approval
Let’s think….
What makes the media so powerful?
 Who or what has the power, and over
whom?
 What can you as a consumer, do to avoid
being unduly influenced by the media?
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