NCJ Number
61037
Date Published
1977
Length
392 pages
Annotation
FROM THIS CONSUMER ACTION HANDBOOK, STRATEGIES ARE DESCRIBED FOR CITIZENS IN THE AREAS OF HEALTH CARE, FOOD PURCHASING, WORKING WITH THE MEDIA, AND EFFECTING LEGISLATION.
Abstract
THE REASONS UNDERLYING THE HIGH COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE OUTLINED, DETAILING ACTION CITIZENS CAN TAKE TO REDUCE THESE PRICES. STEPS ARE DESCRIBED FOR PUBLISHING BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT DOCTORS (TRAINING, SERVICES, AND FEES) WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE BUT NEEDED BY CONSUMERS IN DECIDING WHICH DOCTORS TO CONSULT. SAMPLE INVESTIGATIVE SURVEYS ARE PRESENTED FOR CITIZENS TO IDENTIFY ABUSES IN THE NURSING HOME INDUSTRY. IN PROVIDING GUIDANCE FOR THE CONSUMER IN THE AREA OF ENERGY COSTS, SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ENERGY PROBLEMS ARE DISCUSSED, ALONG WITH STEPS FOR IMPLEMENTING PROJECTS ALREADY PROVEN WORKABLE BY CITIZEN GROUPS. 'PROJECT WASTEHUNT' IS A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING THE POTENTIALS OF ENERGY CONSERVATION, OUTLINING HOW TO SURVEY BUILDINGS TO DETERMINE WHETHER CONSERVATION MEASURES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED. TWO PROJECTS USED BY CONSUMER GROUPS TO FIGHT RISING UTILITY RATES ARE ALSO DESCRIBED. CONSUMER ACTION PROJECTS FOR COMBATTING FOOD PRICE INCREASES ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS OF SHOPPERS AND SHOW HOW NEEDED DATA ABOUT AREA GROCERY STORES CAN BE OBTAINED. THESE PROJECTS CAN LEAD TO CHANGES BY THE STORES WHICH WILL GIVE CONSUMERS THE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO MAKE GROCERY SHOPPING EASIER AND LESS COSTLY. STEPS FOR WORKING EFFECTIVELY WITH THE MEDIA IN CONSUMER ACTION AND MOUNTING CAMPAIGNS TO ESTABLISH AND CHANGE LAWS TO BENEFIT CONSUMERS ARE ALSO OUTLINED. RESOURCES AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)