TV COVERAGE: THE VIEW


















By now you've heard the buzz: The ABC morning talk show The View will cover celiac disease soon--perhaps on Friday, perhaps next week. I've had trouble confirming when the momentous event will occur, but I'm working on that.

Almost from the moment that Elisabeth Hasselbeck became a View co-host late in 2003, there has been talk about her being on the gluten-free diet. CeliacChick Kelly posted about a related exchange she had with Hasselbeck on March 31, 2005. In December 2006, there was this exchange at Celiac.com. Then, on Tuesday, came word of the upcoming coverage: next week or this Friday.

Among the relative few TV personalities who have already disclosed that they have celiac disease are Keith Olbermann and Heidi Collins. Whenever Hasselbeck talks about being gluten-free and/or having celiac disease, public awareness is likely to increase significantly. Handled well, the publicity could have a huge positive impact on public health, leading to more diagnoses and a better of understanding of the gluten-free diet.

Photo: David Marc Fischer