AOA Supports Measures Recognizing Media Influence on Consumers' Health Choices

7/22/2003

From: Mike Campea of the American Osteopathic Association, 312-202-8043, 800-621-1773, ext. 8043

CHICAGO, Ill., July 22 -- The American Osteopathic Association's (AOA) House of Delegates voted Saturday, during their annual business meeting in Chicago, to encourage the Motion Picture Association of America to reduce the use of tobacco products in films. The delegates acknowledged that tobacco use in films usually enhances the product without depicting its adverse consequences.

The House also voted to urge state and federal governments to adopt legislation against direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs, citing that this practice may not be the most appropriate or cost-effective way to inform patients of their medication options. Delegates identified direct-to-consumer advertising as a factor driving up overall marketing costs to pharmaceutical companies while prescription drugs are a leading cause of increasing health care costs.

The AOA's House of Delegates, comprised of more than 500 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) and osteopathic medical students from across the country, meets annually in July to set organizational policies and elect new officers.

The AOA represents approximately 49,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s), promotes public health, encourages scientific research, serves as the primary certifying body for D.O.s, and is the accrediting agency for all osteopathic medical schools and health care facilities.