When it comes to influence, you need not go further than Oprah Winfrey.

Just ask Kentucky Fried Chicken.

With the recent news that she is giving anti-vaccine proponent Jenny McCarthy prominent airtime, as well as her previous endorsement of Suzanne Somers’ book on “bioidentical hormones,” is she doing more harm than good?

That’s what Rahul Parikh suggests in a piece on Salon. Despite her soaring ratings captive audience, Dr. Parikh thinks that, “she could provide some more practical medical advice,” and indeed, “women potentially in need of real help deserve real balance and consideration of their safety.”

Doctors who dispense more balanced medical advice stand no chance against Oprah, who “is an economy of scale onto herself.”

Well said.