In 1991 and 1992, CBS’s 60 Minutes broadcast two segments reporting on the "French Paradox" – research suggesting that the French had low levels of heart disease despite a fatty diet because of their high consumption of red wine. The U.S. wine industry used these reports as the basis of a massive public relations campaign to promote wine as a health elixir. Red wine sales increased dramatically in the U.S., and, the industry successfully lobbied federal officials to include a "heart benefit" reference in the U.S. Dietary Guidelines. This paper reviews these wine industry’s lobbying and public relations efforts and then presents new research largely debunking the French Paradox, which was based on faulty data. French public health officials now consider alcohol the number one drug problem in their country and have called for comprehensive policy reforms to reduce alcohol’s toll on French health. Heavy alcohol consumption in France causes far greater alcohol problems than found in the United States, more than offsetting possible public health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to: (1) describe the origins of the "French Paradox"; (2) assess the wine industry’s campaign to use the paradox as a means to change federal alcohol policy and increase wine sales in the U.S.; (3) understand recent research that largely discredits the existence of the paradox; and (4) describe the high rates of French alcohol problems and prevention efforts in that country
Keywords: Alcohol Problems, International Public Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.