Stephen Barrett

Stephen Barrett (born 1933) is an American retired psychiatrist, author, co-founder of the National Council Against Health Fraud (NCAHF), and the webmaster of Quackwatch. He runs a number of websites dealing with quackery and health fraud. He focuses on consumer protection, medical ethics, and scientific skepticism.

Early life and education

Barrett was born in 1933 in New York City, New York. He completed his B.A. from the City College of New York in 1954 and his M.D. from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1957.

Career

Barrett is a board-certified psychiatrist who is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania, where he resided until he retired at age 65. He was a practicing psychiatrist from 1961 until his retirement in 1993. During his career, he taught at the University of Cincinnati and Pennsylvania State University.

Barrett is the author of 50 books, including The Health Robbers: A Close Look at Quackery in America and The Vitamin Pushers: How the "Health Food" Industry is Selling America a Bill of Goods. He has also written a number of papers for scientific and medical journals.

In 1970, Barrett co-founded the National Council Against Health Fraud (NCAHF), where he served as vice-president for over twenty years. He is the webmaster of Quackwatch, a website dedicated to combating health-related frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies.

Criticism and controversy

Barrett's activities have received criticism from proponents of alternative therapies and those who oppose his skeptical approach towards alternative medicine. He has been involved in a number of legal actions, both as the plaintiff and the defendant.

Recognition

Barrett's work has been recognized by a number of organizations dedicated to combating health fraud and promoting scientific skepticism. He received the FDA Commissioner's Special Citation Award for Public Service in combating nutrition quackery in 1984, and the James Randi Skeptic's Toolbox Award in 2001.

See also

• Consumer protection
• Medical ethics
• Scientific skepticism

External links

• Quackwatch