I’m keynoting a meeting to celebrate publication of 8 articles about SNAP in a special section of the American Journal of Public Health. 9:30am – 11:00am, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, 55 West 125th Street, 7th Floor Auditorium. Participants: Mariana Chilton , Nevin Cohen, Nick Freudenberg, Brynne Keith-Jennings, Jennifer Pomeranz, Alfredo Morabia, Janet Poppendieck. Information is here.
by Marion Nestle
Oct
23
2012
Multivitamins prevent cancer (maybe), sell supplements (definitely)
According to a new study in JAMA, multivitamins might reduce the risk of some cancers, although not by much.
But even a tiny benefit, restricted to skin cancers in healthy male doctors—but not prostate cancers, alas—is good news for the supplement industry. Supplement sellers are eager to make sure you don’t miss this research.
The study results came out on October 18. Pfizer, the maker of the Centrum Silver pills used in the study, placed this ad in the New York Times on October 19:
But that’s not all. CVS pharmacy sent me this personal e-mail message:
Pfizer, of course, could not be happier.
Why do I think this is about marketing, not public health?