50 Health Scares that Fizzled - by Joan R Callahan Hardcover

About the Book

This engaging, nontechnical book discusses 50 health scares that captured the public's attention before fading away, covering real and perceived health threats from long-ago eras to present times.
Despite the benefits of advanced technology and modern safety mechanisms, the world around us seems to grow ever more dangerous and fraught with hidden risks. Even in the information age, it is challenging to discern factual, scientific information from sensationalized accounts in the media, "urban legends," or unsubstantiated Internet lore.

In 50 Health Scares That Fizzled, award-winning author and researcher Joan R. Callahan examines 50 health scares in 7 distinct categories: medical interventions, infectious diseases, food scares, additives in foods or beverages, other biological hazards, chemical or radiological exposures, and lifestyle choices. With great wit and a light tone, Dr. Callahan alleviates readers' concerns and deftly explains the complex issues, making the subject matter approachable.

• Provides information about 50 health scares in 7 categories that abruptly surfaced then fizzled, providing a representative sample of similar events over the last half-century
• Includes sidebar sections highlighting anecdotes or examples
• A bibliography provides an extensive reading list for each topic chapter and the introduction
• A glossary defines biomedical and other unfamiliar terms

Book Synopsis

This engaging, nontechnical book discusses 50 health scares that captured the public's attention before fading away, covering real and perceived health threats from long-ago eras to present times.

Despite the benefits of advanced technology and modern safety mechanisms, the world around us seems to grow ever more dangerous and fraught with hidden risks. Even in the information age, it is challenging to discern factual, scientific information from sensationalized accounts in the media, "urban legends," or unsubstantiated Internet lore.

In 50 Health Scares That Fizzled, award-winning author and researcher Joan R. Callahan examines 50 health scares in 7 distinct categories: medical interventions, infectious diseases, food scares, additives in foods or beverages, other biological hazards, chemical or radiological exposures, and lifestyle choices. With great wit and a light tone, Dr. Callahan alleviates readers' concerns and deftly explains the complex issues, making the subject matter approachable.

Review Quotes

"This is a useful book for public and consumer-health library collections. Students will find a good starting point for reports here." --Booklist

About the Author

Joan R. Callahan, PhD, holds her doctorate degree in zoology from the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. She has worked as a researcher and consultant for over 30 years.