Chiropractic and Public Health

The website of the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) points out that public health is defined by the WHO as follows:

“Activities to strengthen public health capacities and service aim to provide conditions under which people can maintain to be healthy, improve their health and wellbeing, or prevent the deterioration of their health. Public health focuses on the entire spectrum of health and wellbeing, not only the eradication of particular diseases.”

The WFC then continues stating this:

As primary contact health professionals, chiropractors can play an important role as public health advocates. This can range from providing support and advice on health matters such as physical activity, diet, and fitness as well as lifestyle choices such as injury prevention and avoiding tobacco use. Chiropractors can also play a role in counselling patients and communities on the benefits of public health measures, especially as this relates to immediate health needs of each region.

I think that this might merit a few comments.

1. Physical activity is undoubtedly an important issue for public health; however, there are clearly healthcare professionals who are in a better-informed position to advise on it than chiropractors.
2. Diet is undoubtedly an important issue for public health; however, there are clearly healthcare professionals who are in a better-informed position to advise on it than chiropractors.
3. Fitness is undoubtedly an important issue for public health; however, there are clearly healthcare professionals who are in a better-informed position to advise on it than chiropractors.
4. Lifestyle choice is undoubtedly an important issue for public health; however, there are clearly healthcare professionals who are in a better-informed position to advise on it than chiropractors.
5. Injury prevention is undoubtedly an important issue for public health; however, there are clearly healthcare professionals who are in a better-informed position to advise on it than chiropractors.
6. Avoiding tobacco use is undoubtedly an important issue for public health; however, there are clearly healthcare professionals who are in a better-informed position to advise on it than chiropractors.
7. Counseling is undoubtedly an important issue for public health; however, there are clearly healthcare professionals who are in a better-informed position to advise on it than chiropractors.

So, what is the real contribution of chiropractors to public health?

• Chiropractors tend to advise their clients against vaccinations.
• Some mislead the public by claiming they boost immunity and prevent serious infections.
• Many undermine evidence-based medicine by promoting obsolete myths such as ‘the innate’ or subluxations.
• Many sell supplements that could interact with prescription drugs.
• Many make bogus health claims for profit.

I would therefore argue that, on balance, the contribution of chiropractors to public health might be considerable …

sadly, however, it goes in the wrong direction.