Wellness Industry Under Scrutiny: Protecting Human and Animal Health in Thailand

A new analysis highlights concerns about the wellness industry’s rapid growth and its potential to influence public health. With estimated global spending in the trillions, the trend toward natural and alternative remedies raises questions about scientific rigor and safety, including potential risks to animals and people. The conversation is particularly relevant as trends in veterinary wellness intersect with disease prevention.

The rise of raw pet diets and holistic pet health has grown in popularity, with some supporters claiming these diets are biologically appropriate. Yet health data suggest a more cautious view: raw diets may carry a higher risk of transmitting pathogens to pets and humans. There have been reported cases of illness in pets linked to contaminated raw foods, underscoring the need for careful handling and food safety practices.

Public health debates are increasingly shaped by old ideas resurfacing in new forms. In the United States, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sparked discussions by revisiting miasma-era thinking that disease comes from polluted air and the environment. His statements and policies emphasize environmental factors and immune strengthening over vaccination, prompting concern among infectious disease experts and offering Thai readers a lens to understand vaccine hesitancy at home.

The miasma concept originated with ancient Greek physicians, including Hippocrates, and once guided sanitation efforts by linking disease to foul air. While it helped prompt cleaner cities, the theory was displaced by germ theory in the 19th century, a shift that underpins today’s vaccines and antibiotics. As data show, vaccines dramatically reduce disease and save lives, a point echoed by Thai health officials who maintain strong immunization programs amid ongoing public dialogue.

A global health conversation intensified as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke about measles, autism, vaccines, and diet while serving as U.S. health chief. Thai families are navigating similar debates—vaccination confidence, rising obesity, and questions about food additives. This piece explains the latest evidence in clear terms for educators, parents, and policymakers.

Kennedy claimed autism rates were far lower in his youth and suggested an “autism epidemic” today, blaming environmental factors. In reality, autism diagnoses have increased partly due to broader criteria, greater awareness, and improved screening. International health bodies, including the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasize there is no credible evidence linking vaccines to autism. These findings matter for Thailand as vaccination programs confront hesitancy and misinformation in communities across the country.