Disney princesses may seem to live happily ever after in their fairy tales, but experts warn that they face serious real-world health hazards. In a recent article published in The BMJ, Sanne van Dijk and colleagues call on Disney to consider strategies such as mindfulness and personal protection measures to improve the well-being of princesses and help them truly start living healthily ever after.
Snow White, known as the “fairest princess of all,” faces challenges as a scullery maid for her wicked stepmother, limiting her social interactions and putting her at risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, and early death. Despite finding protection from the Seven Dwarfs, Snow White’s encounter with a poisoned apple showcases the failure of the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
Princess Jasmine from Aladdin grows up isolated within the palace walls, lacking friends and facing potential health effects of loneliness. Additionally, her pet tiger Rajah poses risks of zoonotic infections and potentially dangerous situations due to its natural instincts.
In Beauty and the Beast, Belle’s close contact with the Beast exposes her to life-threatening infectious diseases such as brucellosis or rabies. Cinderella’s exposure to dust and magical glitter can lead to occupational lung disease, emphasizing the need for respiratory therapy rather than a prince for her well-being.
Pocahontas’ daring cliff dive could result in severe injuries due to the height of the cliff, raising concerns about the consequences of such actions. Princess Aurora’s prolonged sleep in Sleeping Beauty poses risks of various health conditions, and Mulan’s pressure to uphold family honor may impact her mental health negatively.
Lastly, Rapunzel’s long braid may lead to traction alopecia, causing scalp pain, headaches, and permanent hair loss. The authors recommend interventions such as mindfulness, psychotherapy, training on cohabitation with animals, and personal protection measures to address these health challenges and help Disney princesses truly live healthily ever after.
