“Over the last decade Offit has become a leading debunker of mass misconceptions surrounding infections and vaccines, and now he is taking on the entire field of alternative medicine, from acupuncture to vitamins.”—New York Times
“Invaluable.”—Wall Street Journal
Modern medicine has made major advances in the last few decades, as more informed practices, thorough research, and incredible breakthroughs have made it possible to successfully treat and even eradicate many serious ailments. But we still rely on medical interventions that are vastly out of date and can adversely affect our health. In Overkill, Dr. Paul A. Offit debunks fifteen common medical interventions that continue despite mounting evidence they are damaging or even deadly. Discussing everything from vitamins, sunscreen, and eyedrops for pinkeye to more serious procedures like heart stent placement and knee surgery, Offit—an acclaimed medical expert and patient advocate—tears down prolific medical propaganda that, for decades, has been causing more harm than good,
Analyzing the history of how these practices came to be, the biology of what makes them so ineffective, and the medical culture that has consistently turned a blind eye, Overkill seeks to move the needle away from these counterproductive treatments—and help patients advocate for their health. By educating ourselves, we can ask better questions and bring a much-needed skepticism to some of the drugs and surgeries that are all too readily available—and all too heavily promoted.