For Immediate Release March 9, 2005

For More Information Contact: Diane Brown, 317-274-7711 habrown@iupui.edu

IU Professor Honored for Leadership Role in Fighting Health Fraud

INDIANAPOLIS - IU School of Law-Indianapolis Professor Henry Karlson is at war.

Addressing a "standing-room-only" crowd of social workers at a national conference, IU School of Law-Indianapolis Professor Henry Karlson schooled them in "How to Recognize Health Fraud from the Legal Perspective," a lecture subtitled "The Great Quack Attack."

Karlson also spearheaded the distribution of a nutritional guide to patients with compromised immune systems. The guide provided vital information on how to avoid fraudulent health products.

These and other projects are part of Karlson's ongoing war against health fraud.

His volunteer work has earned the IUPUI professor national recognition for his accomplishments.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently named Professor Karlson the recipient of an Award for Excellence in Leadership. The award honors him for service rendered as chairperson of the Indiana Health Fraud Task Force, a private organization that focuses on making the public aware of fraud related to health care services, products and treatment; and providing public education on how to avoid becoming a victim of such fraud.

"The greatest weapon in health fraud work is the education of people and making them aware of the dangers," said Karlson, adding he is honored by the recognition from the FDA.

As part of the "Take Time to Care," campaign run by the FDA's Office of Women's Health, the IUPUI professor also helped to implement numerous educational seminars for community leaders, including several programs that provided in-depth analysis of health fraud.

"Professor Karlson is an outstanding ambassador for the IU School of Law-Indianapolis in the wider community as he is always willing to provide advice and assistance and deliver addresses to a wide range of national and state agencies and organizations," said Anthony Tarr, dean of the law school. "His award from the FDA is terrific recognition from one of the major organizations where his work has made a difference."

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