KOVR-TV recently aired a three-part series on back pain called "Healthbeat -- You and Your Back" on its 11:00 p.m. news program. On the Tuesday December 3, 1991 segment KOVR reporter Euna Kwan and an orthopedic surgeon both made negative comments regarding the validity and effectiveness of chiropractic treatment.
The statements included a description of chiropractic doctors as "second-class citizens" in health care professions, and the admonition that viewers should avoid neck manipulation because "research shows that it can cause brain damage."
The day after the program aired, the California Chiropractic Association (CCA) spoke with KOVR station management as well as the reporter, expressing displeasure and concern over the contents of the story. Although station management was reluctant to admit their the story was negligent and not fully researched, the reporter did accept that the story needed correction.
The CCA has arranged for the reporter to visit the office of a Sacramento Valley Chiropractic Society president for a more accurate story on chiropractic. In addition, Dr. Willard Smith, CCA president, sent a letter to the KOVR station management which quotes chiropractic research studies, and encourages the station to contact the CCA or any of the four federally accredited chiropractic colleges in California for more in-depth information.
DCs who saw this broadcast, or simply learned about it from this article may write a letter to KOVR, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of research for this story, to the following address:
Robert Yuna, news director
Todd Howard, producer
Michael Fiorile, general manager
KOVR-TV
2713 KOVR Drive
West Sacramento, CA 95605
The CCA would like a copy of any letter that is sent to the station.
