Advertising works. Advertising would not be the multi-billion dollar business that it is if it didn’t work. People young and old are persuaded by advertisers who are trying to convince consumers and influence behavior. That said, how is advertising a health issue?
Advertising does have positive effects on society. For example, some alcohol manufacturers spend a small portion of their budget on advertisements warning about the dangers of drinking and driving. Ads can also allow people to become aware of new products in the market, thus providing enourmous benefits to companies, businesses, etc. However, I have chosen to focus on the negative effects that avertising and the media can have on an individual’s health and well-being.
The average American in the United States is exposed to 3000 advertisements per day. In turn, this can result in problems correlated with:
Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption
Body Image/Representation of Women
Childhood and Adulthood obesity
And many more. There are multiple health issues that go along with each of these topics that can be detrimental to the health of many individuals. This blog is a way to educate those who may have not realized the health problems that can come from advertisements that Americans are seeing everyday, possibly without even realizing it. We see billboards as we drive down the freeway; we watch commercials that come on during our favorite sitcom; we read magazines about our favorite celebtrities. We are bombarded with advertising everywhere we go. The question is, how well are we dealing with what we see?
Health and the Media 