Healthwashing

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Healthwashing is when a corporation that engages in activities that are harmful to public health teams up with a health-related nonprofit organization to raise funds and help cover up the fact that it is harming society. Example:

The Rite Aid drug store chain announced that it is once again teaming with the American Heart Association (AHA) to promote AHA's "Go Red for Women" campaign. Rite Aid collects donations of one dollar or more from customers in exchange for little red paper dresses that contain detachable coupons for merchandise. Rite Aid issued a press release touting the campaign and their free "heart health guide" that contains advice on how to prevent heart disease. Absent from the promotion and the press release, and kept quiet by AHA, is the fact that Rite Aid contributes mightily to causing heart disease in women by selling cigarettes.

Sourcewatch resources

• Greedwashing
• Greenwashing