Trust Health Reporting?
Health commentator James Brunton reads between the lines of health reports.
Health is an ever-evolving subject. Research continually modifies what was previously medical fact, turning it into historical myth. The picture rolls forward in a refining and evolutionary cycle. A series of ground-breaking and inspirational steps reveals improvements in health thinking and practice.
That said, the media tend to trumpet research results as ‘live-saving,’ while generally omitting important facts so as not to spoil the story. They throw in journal titles such as The Lancet or The BMJ to make you think the work must be the best science available.
It was only a matter of time before someone did research on the research. The results show that there is less than a 50 per cent chance that the results of any randomly chosen scientific paper will be true. The main culprits are the experimental and statistical methods, involving small sample sizes, poor study design, researcher bias and selective reporting. Almost one third of some well regarded research was refuted by other studies.
Part of the problem is discovering who financed the research. Industry-funded research tends to favour corporate interests. Drug industry studies come down on the side of the drugs. How can you get this into perspective when reading or hearing health research news? Be cautious and a little skeptical, while keeping an open mind.
Think twice before accepting claims for a new wonder drug. All drugs have side effects and toxicity issues. No drug is completely safe in all circumstances. Check sources and research methods if you can or ask independent commentators for their take on it.
Remember: you have experience, common sense and intuition, so use them. You are responsible for your and your family’s health, not drug companies whose primary aim is to sell their products and make profits.