What the Health

A recent movie, What the Health (available on Netflix), looks at the relationships between fast and processed food, meat, dairy, egg and pharmaceutical businesses and medical societies: American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Susan B. Komens. These organizations, medical schools and research institutes are heavily funded by business groups. Their policies and training are strongly influenced to the detriment of patients and the public welfare. Like financial, energy and other large industry groups they also control legislation and government policy. Medical care, education and government organizations designed to help all of us are contributing to poor health policies in support of these businesses.

The movie's interview with Dr. Robert Ratner, chief medical and scientific officer of the American Diabetes Association(ADA), is particularly revealing, amusing and sad. Dr. Ratner aborts the interview when told they would be discussing the relationship of diet and diabetes, questioning why the ADA takes money from food industry groups and offers menus including unhealthy foods on their website.