"Just Be Healthy": The Cruel Myth Dr. Oz Perpetuated on the Chronically Ill

Courtesy of @ABCNews

In the world of daytime television and celebrity health advice, Dr. Mehmet Oz has long been a towering figure. But among the sea of wellness tips and dubious miracle cures, some of his pronouncements have landed with a particularly stinging and harmful impact. One of the most egregious examples is the insidious, victim-blaming mantra: the idea that people can (and therefore should) "just be healthy" and everything in America will fix itself.

While seemingly innocent on the surface, this phrase is deeply insulting and profoundly dismissive to the millions of people living with chronic illness. It strips away the reality of their daily struggles and replaces it with a cruel, unattainable simplicity.

The Privilege of "Just Being Healthy"

When Dr. Oz or other wellness gurus suggest that health is simply a matter of personal choice—eat better, move more, sleep seven hours—they are speaking from a position of immense privilege. They assume a baseline of physical and financial stability that many do not possess.

For someone living with a relatively healthy body, the advice to "just eat a salad" is a minor inconvenience. For someone battling lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), rheumatoid arthritis, or Crohn's disease, the energy required to shop for, prepare, and then digest that salad can be the equivalent of running a marathon.

The Insult of Blame: "You’re Not Trying Hard Enough"

The core problem with the "just be healthy" narrative is that it immediately places the burden of illness squarely on the shoulders of the person who is suffering. If health is that simple, then the logical conclusion is:

"If you are sick, you must not be trying hard enough." HA!

This mentality is devastating. People with chronic illnesses are already fighting their bodies every single day. They often spend countless hours and thousands of dollars on doctors, medications, physical therapy, specialized diets, and experimental treatments, all in the desperate hope of reclaiming even a fraction of their well-being.

• It ignores the biological reality of autoimmune diseases, genetic conditions, and complex inflammatory disorders that no amount of kale or jogging can cure.

• It compounds suffering by adding unnecessary guilt and shame to an already difficult existence.

• It addresses systemic barriers, such as a lack of affordable healthcare, food deserts, and the stress of economic hardship, which contribute to poor health outcomes.

What Dr. Oz and Others Fail to Understand

The chronic illness community doesn't need simplistic advice; they need understanding, empathy, and systemic support.

The Simple Advice	The Chronically Ill Reality
"Just get more exercise."	Reality: Exertion leads to a flare-up or debilitating post-exertional malaise (PEM), costing days or weeks of recovery.
"Just eat clean/paleo/keto."	Reality: Every body reacts differently; restrictive diets can sometimes cause more stress or malnutrition, and they are expensive and time-consuming to maintain.
"Just manage your stress."	Reality: Stress is inherent when you are constantly in pain, worried about medical bills, and fighting for validation from doctors and employers.

Let’s Shift the Conversation

Instead of demanding people "just be healthy," we need to recognize the radical difference between wellness and illness.

1. Acknowledge the Fight: Understand that someone with a chronic illness is fighting a battle that we cannot see. Their focus isn't always on thriving, but on surviving and finding a way to make their life livable.

2. Validate Their Experience: The next time you hear someone mention a struggle, resist the urge to offer a simple cure. Instead, say, "That sounds incredibly difficult, and I am so sorry you have to go through that."

3. Advocate for Systemic Change: True health is supported by affordable medications, comprehensive medical care, and work environments that accommodate disability and chronic conditions. That’s where the fight for wellness truly begins—not in a simple phrase on a TV show.

The phrase "just be healthy" is a cruel, empty platitude. It’s time we put it to rest and start addressing the complex, painful reality of chronic illness with the respect and empathy it deserves.

Do you live with a chronic illness? What is the most dismissive piece of "wellness advice" you have ever received? Share your story in the comments below.

Compiled By:

Kelli (Casas) Roseta

**All resources provided by this blog are for informational purposes only, not to replace the advice of a medical professional. Kelli encourages you to always contact your medical provider with any specific questions or concerns regarding your illness. All intellectual property and content on this site and in this blog are owned by morethanlupus.com. This includes materials protected by copyright, trademark, or patent laws. Copyright, More Than Lupus 2025.

🔗 Sources

1. Glenza, Jessica. "Dr Oz tells federal health workers AI could replace frontline doctors." The Guardian. [Link to the article discussing Dr. Oz's "patriotic duty" comment].

   
   

2. Specker, Michael. "The Case of Dr. Oz: Ethics, Evidence, and Does Professional Self-Regulation Work?" Journal of Ethics (AMA Journal of Ethics). [Link to the article discussing his differing standards of evidence and ethics].

3. Protect Our Care. "FACT SHEET: Dr. Mehmet Oz Is A Quack Grifter Unqualified To Administer Health Care For Over 160 Million Americans." Protect Our Care. [Link to the fact sheet referencing the "egregious lack of integrity" quote and pseudoscience promotion].