In a book I am reading, Food Politics, the author makes a very startling comparison between the food industry and the tobacco industry. How are they similar? In that they are knowingly selling products that have been shown to have association with poor health. My first thought about this was that I did not want to let this statement bias me against the food industry; after all I have not finished the whole book. However, unlike the tobacco industry, there are equally healthy versions of food products, too much I think to be able to make such a comparison. This past weekend however, I had the opportunity to ask a representative of Coca Cola about this issue through of attending the prestigious Wharton African Business Conference and gala.  There were high-ranking speakers present representing their respective fields to impart valuable business advice to the accomplished student professionals in the audience. One of the keynote speakers present at the conference was Alexander B. Cummings the Chief Administrative Officer of Coca-Cola. Many, wanted to hear his thoughts on how Coca-Cola indirectly contributes to the growing obesity problem through overconsumption of their sugary products. His response to this was that Coca Cola is aware of the obesity problem and is concerned about the health of their consumers and that they would like their consumers to consume in moderation if it will improve their health. He gave various examples of programs they have implemented geared towards consumer health and the other more health friendly products by Coke.

   My reasoning tells me that it is actually in Coca-Cola’s best interest for its consumers not to consume in moderation. Sell more product, make more money. That’s Business 101. So I asked him what he thought of this and if Coca-Cola will then focus more on advertising its healthier products to improve consumer health. I knew it doesn’t make sense for them to…their main product is Coke. I asked my question knowing that I would not get a straight answer, and as expected the speaker danced circles around my question. His main point was clear to me though. Their product may be linked to poor health but that it is up to the consumer to moderate their intake of it. As he said, anything in excess is potentially harmful.  

     The fact is…as soon as people start consuming Coca-Cola products in moderation Pepsi will become America’s new favorite soda. Its actually not the responsibility of a business to concern about the health of the consumers, their responsibility is to make them buy more product. It’s our responsibility to concern ourselves about our own health. Understandable. Food or beverage industries begin to care when they find that its in their best economic interest to care, or when forced by the government. This is why cigarette labels are now required by law to display graphic illustrations warning of the long-term effects of smoking. So, although it is their product does lead to poor health when over consumed, I’m not sure if its completely fair to make the comparison that was made in Food Politics. Maybe when I finish the book I will feel differently. 

WABF Keynote Speaker Alexander Cummings

Throughout my experiences in the health field and especially as a medical student I have heard the mantra: “you should never go to medical school if you are becoming a doctor for the money.”  The long hours of studying, loss of close friends, the gain of weight, and the ego-infused sporadic academic brain battles is more overwhelming than many realize. There are many other, saner ways to earn a six figure salary. Recently an article by Milt Freudenheim in the New York Times highlighted the growing trend of physicians who are also earning MBA’s. I support wholeheartedly everything in this article. However, the concept of an overt physician-businessman/woman seems to be one that is out of the comfort zones of the average imagination. After all, in the wake of the fallout of the Wall Street mediated financial crisis, the livelihoods of millions of individuals across the world still lie bereft of life. How discouraging would it be if a majority of doctors were found to be instrumental in this crisis?  Doctors “…are lawyers for the poor.”I have heard statements indicating a distaste for doctors earning a large yearly salary. I believe many hold these sentiments because healthcare is something that you just cannot do without…if people are not ill, who would doctors treat? In a world that is becoming increasingly financially efficient, where healthcare decisions are made based on what the insurance will cover rather than what the patient needs, it makes more sense for doctors position themselves at the helm of this sinking ship and guide it towards a more desirable trajectory.

Previously, as was stated in Milt Freudenheim’s article, the board rooms of many hospitals were populated with non-doctors, and in fact had a predilection for non-doctor candidates. Apparently doctors make horrible businessmen. But the fact that doctors know more about the clientele, puts MD/MBAs a step above any just-businessman. It only makes sense for doctors to begin to equip themselves with the skills that will place them in the boardrooms. I think that an MD/MBA doctor, rather than a dangerous weapon, is a valuable asset to the operation of a hospital, healthcare consult, private practice, and more importantly, to patients. In this regard, I think that more medical students need to realize that there is so much more to medicine, than medicine…whether you have an MBA or not.

There are some stories that one can read in the news that are so unbelievable that readers are forced to question their reading aptitude after a neck-twisting double take. After successfully re-reading a story about Nigerian Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu attempting to convince senate leaders to legalize prostitution in Nigeria, I can hesitantly say that my reading aptitude is intact. I find it inconceivable that a leader representing a nation where healthcare access/education is sub-par and disease is rampant would suggest legalizing the potential purchase of STD’s and approval of violence against women. Maybe this Deputy Senate President didnt consider what he was legalizing. The lifestyles of many prostitutes are actually a public health concern. Here are the facts.

Some studies have reported rape rates of prostitutes of up to 80% . The average age of entry into prostitution is 13-14 years. More than 70% of women who enter prostitution have reported being physically assutlted. More that 70% are homeless.  In a suicide study on escort prostitution, up to 75% had attempted suicide.

Although the almost surreal Nigerian legislative fiasco was short-lived, it lived…when it should not have. Is this the type of public health legislation that politicians should propose, especially with the state of infectious disease in the nation? I think not. 

Here is an infographic about Prostitution below…Click to enlarge.