Brittany Murphy, born on November 10th 1977, died December 20th 2009. She was an American actress staring in Clueless, Just Married, Don't Say a Word Girl Interrupted, Spun, 8 mile, Uptown Girls, Sin City, Happy Feet, and Riding in cars with Boys. Brittany was also a singer, dancer, and model. Her personal love life and acting updates were constantly over entertainment news. Her top news story was her death. To go along with my research paper theme of celebrity overdose. Brittany Murphy falls into this category. She was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where she was dead on arrival from cardiac arrest. This was due to pneumonia, and iron-deficiency anemia, and multiple drug intoxication. This intoxication came from a range of over the counter prescription medications in a purpose to treat a cold or respiratory infection. These drugs were hydrocodone, acetaminophen, L-methamphetamine, and chlorpheniramine.
Brittany's family, after her death also established the Brittany Murphy Foundation in honor of her constant charitable focuses; children's arts education, the USO, and cancer research.
Why so many drugs for a "cold" or "respiratory infection?" Was that what they doctors were really trying to treat? Did Brittany really die on accident of drug intake? They say she died from "legal" drugs, but is this intense array of drugs a "legal" or ethical level to prescribe to someone? Was Brittany as forceful in being cured with drugs as other celebrity prescription overdoses have been in the past? These are the questions I constantly think of when I read articles such as this which make the celebrity seem protected from the media after their death.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/12/20/brittany.murphy/index.html
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Outline for Research Paper
Outline for Pop Culture Research Paper
Title:
Thesis: On June 25th, 2009 at 5:20pm Michael Jackson, our beloved king of pop, was rushed to the hospital after found collapsed in his Holmby Hills mansion, due to an abusive intake of the anesthetic drug, Propofol. Eight year old Michael Jackson and his extraordinary talent was introduced to the world in the nineteen sixties from the Jackson 5’s chart toppers “I want you back” and “I’ll be there.” Michael revolved around his fans constantly living in the spot light and fame from a little boy until his death. In 2009, before the drug overdose, Michael was rehearsing for a fifty concert tour to be performed in many countries. His death caused the entire world to mourn for the Jackson family’s grief and the loss of a pop legend. Michael, and many other celebrities of the past such as Heath Ledger, Anna Nicole Smith, Elvis Presley, Brittany Murphy, Patrick Swayze, Farrah Faucett, and Tony Snow, has fallen victim to the prescription drug overdose. To further investigate the impact on society these celebrity deaths have from seeking prescription relief, we must acknowledge the life of the celebrity, their psychological and medical state and why they have such an impact on the public.
Topic 1: How much control celebrities have over their medical treatment leads to lack of good healthcare. Explain a few “impossible patients” such as Adolf Hitler, Howard Hughes, and Elvis Presley. Different from society because of their fame, money, and power. The celebrities’ ideas of drugs (how drugs fix you.)
Topic 2: Why do celebrities take drugs? “Better than illegal drugs” Psychological aspect of prescription drug taking by celebrities. Their loneliness and suffering associated with the life of celebrities. Why this causes them to resort to drugs.
Topic 3: Celebrities trusting their doctors? Do they think prescriptions are safer? More effective for the outcome they want? Do they even listen to their doctor’s advice or just pay them off to give them the drugs they want. Why don’t the doctors, who are trained with medical safety knowledge, stop this celebrity epidemic.
Topic 4: Death leads to acknowledgement of their prescription addiction. Usually “heart failure” until autopsy proves it.
Topic 5: What the public learn from these celebrities. Scary reality of prescription drug overdose. Why the public sympathizes with these celebrities.
Conclusion: Deficit of quality of care, access to care, and affordable care in this country. Yet those on the other end of the spectrum, those with money, wealth, and power to get whatever they want does not mean they will receive what they need medically. They have unique situations to receive prescription drugs yet have an empathetic impact on the average person who cannot receive prescriptions as easy
Bibliography: (I still have some searching to do on certain celebrities stories with their prescription drug addictions to tie into main concepts in each topic.)
American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists. (2009). Survey Reveals Public's Concerns About Prescription Medication Overdose Risks Following Death of Michael Jackson. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from http://www.ashp.org/import/news/pressreleases/pressrelease.aspx?id=534
Friedman, Jeffrey C. “Michael Jackson’s Death Highlights the Alarming State of Celebrity Medicine”Couselor, The Magazine for Addiction Professionals, Mag. December 2009, v.10, n.6, pp.28-29. Web. November 10, 2010, from http://www.counselormagazine.com/columns-mainmenu-55/50-opinion/1003-michael-jacksons-death-highlights-the-alarming-state-of-celebrity-medicine
Addiction & the Hummanities. July 22, 2009. Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough: How Media Coverage of Michael Jackson’s Death Might Rais Awareness About the Dangers of Prescription Drug Abuse. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from http://www.basisonline.org/2009/07/addiction-the-humanities-vol-56-dont-stop-till-you-get-enough-how-media-coverage-of-michael-jacksons.html
Hewitt, Bill, Tresniowski, Alex, Aradillas, Eline, Benet, Lorenzo, Breuer, Howard, Clark, Champ Hammel, Sara, Messer, Lesley, Lang, Anne, Gray, Mark. “MICHAEL JACKSON'S DEATH DRUGS, DOCTORS & DECEPTION” People. Mag.August 10, 2009. Vol. 72, Issue 6. Web. November 9, 2010 from
Von Drehle, David. “A Little Boy Takes Charge of His Family’s Band, Then Leaves It Far Behind.” Time Magazine. Mag. June 26, 2009. Web. November 12, 2010, from http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,190709_1907486_1907481,00.html
Breo, Dennis L. Extraordinary Care. Franklin Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 1986. Print.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Celebrityweb: how much do celebrity followers follow their health?
As I continue to blog to and research celebrity medical gossip I can't help but wonder, do people who follow celebrities actually see the constant medical stories? I realize that certain celebrities who may have health issues as other celebrities may not have as much of an impact to the public education of their sickness if they are not as well know or "hot" on the celebrity list. It also seems as though there are multiple web sites devoted to the health of their celebrities yet have stopped blogging or adding new stories or stories are mostly devoted to new born babies of celebrities. When searching in national news such as ABC, it can be impossible to find the newest updates on celebrity health. Therefore; this leaves me with questions such as how much impact do celebrities make with their medical stories. To what level of popularity must a celebrity be or the level of sickness or even death in order for people to hear about them, celebrity gossip followers and others who just follow national news?
For example... how many of you average college students, who typically know pop culture but may be not to the extent of celebrity followers, know about Robin Williams? "Actor-comedian Robin Williams is preparing for heart surgery after suffering from shortness of breath during his one-man comedy show tour "Weapons of Self-Destruction." The 57-year-old actor needs a heart aortic valve replacement, according to his publicist Diane Rosen. Williams has cancelled the remainder of his comedy tour." This took place just last year! He is one of our nations beloved comedians who must go under a pretty risky surgery. If we didn't hear about this, how much of the nation heard about this and therefore how much of an impact did he have on educating us on his heart condition?
Current Celebrity "health status" gossip
http://www.popeater.com/category/health-issues/
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/popup?id=6638909
One that stopped its updating
http://celebrities.healthdiaries.com/
For example... how many of you average college students, who typically know pop culture but may be not to the extent of celebrity followers, know about Robin Williams? "Actor-comedian Robin Williams is preparing for heart surgery after suffering from shortness of breath during his one-man comedy show tour "Weapons of Self-Destruction." The 57-year-old actor needs a heart aortic valve replacement, according to his publicist Diane Rosen. Williams has cancelled the remainder of his comedy tour." This took place just last year! He is one of our nations beloved comedians who must go under a pretty risky surgery. If we didn't hear about this, how much of the nation heard about this and therefore how much of an impact did he have on educating us on his heart condition?
Current Celebrity "health status" gossip
http://www.popeater.com/category/health-issues/
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/popup?id=6638909
One that stopped its updating
http://celebrities.healthdiaries.com/
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Michael Jackson vs. Michael J. Fox publicity from medical issues
On June 25th 2009 the entire world focused their attention on varieties of news to be up to date of the health status and death of Michael Jackson, considered the king of pop music. This was the day that not only shocked music history but a day that shocked Internet media. Google Twitter and Wikipedia were being shut down by the overwhelming amount of Internet searchers trying to receive a better understanding of what happened to Michael. At first Michael's death had been blamed for poor prescription distribution and intake for his high stress level but later confirmed his death was due drugs mixture of Propofol, Benzodiazepines: Lorazepam and Midazolam for anxiety and insomnia. Although Jackson had not had a serious medical diagnosis other than stress and lack of sleep, the world still continued to dwell on the fact that he was the victim. He was the victim of societal pressures, emotional stress, and badly delivered health care.
Eleven years earlier, 1998, the world was shocked by another Michael's health care issues. Michael J. Fox went public about his newly diagnosed Parkinson's Disease, a neurological disorder. Michael J. Fox, a very successful film actor, took a unique approach to address his medical issue. He began a huge campaign for stem cell research and the cure for Parkinson's disease, ultimately creating the Michael J. Fox Foundation in support of this research. His commercials, talk show appearances, public announcements, and his book "Adventures of an Incurable Optimist, became a powerful and highly talked about political influence, statistics showing a huge impact on the public voting. He received awards for helping the advancement of Perkinsons' research.
The different situations impacting the Michaels' medical statuses are typically what is seen in celebrities today. There are the celebrities that feel attacked by societal pressures and their job being influenced by what society thinks, and there are celebrities that have just form health issues outside of their job's stresses. What is common in these situations is usually celebrities tend to take some type of follow up action because of their medical issues. Jackson became a case of blame, who was at fault for his death, while Fox politically supported research and funding to advance and ultimately solve others who will have his similar diagnosis. Even with health care issues our celebrities find a way to never leave publicity and our world of media.
 |
| Michael J. Fox verses Michael Jackson and the publicity of their health |
On June 25th 2009 the entire world focused their attention on varieties of news to be up to date of the health status and death of Michael Jackson, considered the king of pop music. This was the day that not only shocked music history but a day that shocked Internet media. Google Twitter and Wikipedia were being shut down by the overwhelming amount of Internet searchers trying to receive a better understanding of what happened to Michael. At first Michael's death had been blamed for poor prescription distribution and intake for his high stress level but later confirmed his death was due drugs mixture of Propofol, Benzodiazepines: Lorazepam and Midazolam for anxiety and insomnia. Although Jackson had not had a serious medical diagnosis other than stress and lack of sleep, the world still continued to dwell on the fact that he was the victim. He was the victim of societal pressures, emotional stress, and badly delivered health care.
Eleven years earlier, 1998, the world was shocked by another Michael's health care issues. Michael J. Fox went public about his newly diagnosed Parkinson's Disease, a neurological disorder. Michael J. Fox, a very successful film actor, took a unique approach to address his medical issue. He began a huge campaign for stem cell research and the cure for Parkinson's disease, ultimately creating the Michael J. Fox Foundation in support of this research. His commercials, talk show appearances, public announcements, and his book "Adventures of an Incurable Optimist, became a powerful and highly talked about political influence, statistics showing a huge impact on the public voting. He received awards for helping the advancement of Perkinsons' research.
The different situations impacting the Michaels' medical statuses are typically what is seen in celebrities today. There are the celebrities that feel attacked by societal pressures and their job being influenced by what society thinks, and there are celebrities that have just form health issues outside of their job's stresses. What is common in these situations is usually celebrities tend to take some type of follow up action because of their medical issues. Jackson became a case of blame, who was at fault for his death, while Fox politically supported research and funding to advance and ultimately solve others who will have his similar diagnosis. Even with health care issues our celebrities find a way to never leave publicity and our world of media.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Celebrities; obsession to health education
Celebrities faces have become a huge aspect of our "American life." They constantly pop up on commercials, billboards, newspapers, online, and all sorts of advertisements. Some TV shows "cribs" tour celebrity homes while magazine's are dedicated to following the lives of the rich and famous. Celebrities break laws or win awards and fill up the front pages of our national news. Yes celebrities have become an obsession to every group in American society.
What we don't usually recognize is the alternative impact these celebrities have on our culture. They have also become a portal of informing the public on what they believe are significant issues. They raise awareness by their action, such as Bono's anti-poverty "One" foundation and Angelina Jolie's charity missions.
So as our culture obsesses on the lives of celebrities, it is only natural that the American people also take and interest on the healthcare and medical conditions our stars who become sick. Following allow celebrities to spread information about public health and get messages across about healthcare issues. They raise the awarness of diseases, pressure for more research and new treatments, and may give reassurance to those who have the their same illness.
While time spent following celebrities typically brings bad reputation, those that are apart of the obsession may be expanding their knowledge in medical issues and information.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/because-celebrities-get-cancer-too-695133.html
What we don't usually recognize is the alternative impact these celebrities have on our culture. They have also become a portal of informing the public on what they believe are significant issues. They raise awareness by their action, such as Bono's anti-poverty "One" foundation and Angelina Jolie's charity missions.
So as our culture obsesses on the lives of celebrities, it is only natural that the American people also take and interest on the healthcare and medical conditions our stars who become sick. Following allow celebrities to spread information about public health and get messages across about healthcare issues. They raise the awarness of diseases, pressure for more research and new treatments, and may give reassurance to those who have the their same illness.
While time spent following celebrities typically brings bad reputation, those that are apart of the obsession may be expanding their knowledge in medical issues and information.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/because-celebrities-get-cancer-too-695133.html
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