By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Celebrity Spokespeople: A Double-Edged Sword
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Medical Ethics > Celebrity Spokespeople: A Double-Edged Sword
Medical EthicsNewsWellness

Celebrity Spokespeople: A Double-Edged Sword

David Davidovic
David Davidovic
Share
3 Min Read
celebrity health spokesperson
SHARE

(Editor’s note: This post is from our latest member of the HealthWorks Collective Advisory Board, Mr David Davidovic.  We thoroughly thank David for this exclusive post!)

(Editor’s note: This post is from our latest member of the HealthWorks Collective Advisory Board, Mr David Davidovic.  We thoroughly thank David for this exclusive post!)

celebrity health spokespersonWe are all familiar with one celebrity or another being signed up to – usually – long term contracts to sell or endorse products and services.  Sometimes they are blatant sales pitches like those ‘been there’ actors hawking long-term insurance on late night TV or former boxers selling grills named after them.   Other times, celebrities implicitly profess their preference for a brand of product, think Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan.  And other times, they simply endorse or lend their name for causes, many of them health-oriented; examples are Katie Couric in colon cancer campaigns, Michael J. Fox as an advocate Parkinson’s research, or Sally Field for Boniva and osteoporosis.

Proponents believe these endorsements, and their ecosystems, have been very important in terms of disease awareness and patient education, bringing tangible benefits and positive outcomes.  These endorsements have also drawn scrutiny from the FDA for their potential for off-label communications, and from industry critics in terms of inappropriate influence and wasteful spending.

More Read

weight loss medication
The Risks and Benefits of Taking Weight Loss Supplements
The Dawn of the Worried Well
Produce Shopping Tips For Ensuring Food Safety
How to Treat Teen Eating Disorders
Top Three Essentials for General Health Care during Pregnancy

Celebrity endorsements can backfire, however.  We have seen many cases of celebrities behaving badly from Tiger Woods, to quarterback Michael Vick, to Lindsay Lohan to Lance Armstrong.  And now, we have the case of Paula Deen. 

Recall that last year Ms. Deen announced that she had been suffering Type 2 Diabetes; at the same time Novo Nordisk signed her up as a spokesperson for their diabetes campaigns.  Somehow, at the time, the controversy regarding the apparent conflict between her fat-laden recipes and the campaign’s call for healthy eating habits dissipated and moved to the back-burner. 

Not sure the current storm will blow away any time soon.  The Food Network already dropped her show.  Should and will Novo Nordisk end (or not renew) her contract too? 

(kai hecker / Shutterstock.com)

TAGGED:diabetesPaula Deen
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025
AI in Healthcare
AI in Healthcare: Technology is Transforming the Global Landscape
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
October 1, 2025
Choosing the Right Swimwear for Health and Safety
News
September 30, 2025
sports concussions
Concussion In Sports: How Common They Are And What You Need To Know
Infographics
September 28, 2025

You Might also Like

med tech
DiagnosticsMedical InnovationsNewsPublic HealthTechnology

Revolution in Lab Testing: Theranos

October 2, 2013
DiagnosticsMedical EducationSpecialtiesWellness

The Healthcare Costs Associated with Alcohol Addiction

November 16, 2015
domestic violence program
Public HealthWellness

DOVE Program at Northwest Hospital Helps Families Overcome Domestic Violence

April 11, 2013
Home HealthWellness

The Importance Of Maintaining A Healthy Lifestyle

July 22, 2019
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?