Last week we discussed why health articles so often get it wrong, but here's one resource that gets it right: Health News Review, a site where scientists and physicians take a hard look at health stories and let consumers know how they hold up. Wondering what experts really think of stories like "Berries May Cut Heart Attack Risk in Women, Study Says"?
That particular headline came from a HealthDay story that didn't fare so well under Health News Review's scrutiny, meeting just three of the eight criteria. But the review helpfully links to two other stories that do a little better, including the NPR coverage of the same study, which satisfies six of the eight criteria.
And what are the criteria these stories are being judged by? Some of the questions include:
• Does the story adequately quantify the benefits of the treatment/test/product/procedure?
• Does the story use independent sources and identify conflicts of interest?
• Does the story appear to rely solely or largely on a news release?
• Does the story commit disease-mongering?
That last criterion addresses an especially common problem in health stories. Many articles seem written to make readers feel like there is something seriously wrong with their health — even when there isn't, or when the condition being addressed (wrinkles, shyness, menopause) isn't a disease at all.
Even simply knowing the questions experts ask themselves when reading a health-related article is an easy way to become a savvier, more informed consumer. This is a site I'll be checking regularly, especially when the latest attention-grabbing health headline overtakes my Facebook and Twitter feeds.
• Check it out: Health News Review
(Image: Vania Georgieva/Shutterstock)
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Great counterbalance to the fear-inducing headlines that seem to proliferate like bacteria! It's so hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. I've just finished reading Thinking, Fast and Slow, written by Nobel prize-winning Daniel Kahneman. A real eye-opener for those of us who want to avoid making decisions based on inaccurate or misleading information.
This is a really great post because so many people do not know what to believe. And because nutrition and health science changes daily, its great to have something to trust and who measures up against certain criteria. This was really helpful!
Maria Tadic
http://beanafoodie.com/blog
I'm a regular reader of Yoni Freedhoff's blog at http://www.weightymatters.ca/
He does a fantastic job of dissecting/discussing/debunking myths. Give it a read, it is well worth it.
That's a great idea although it's a bit annoying a reader would have to chase down the studies; why don't media stories link to their original source? Also I wonder why Americans are suddenly incapable of reading the study when it is available. Some articles are free now and honestly kids should be taught in school how to read a published study so we won't be scratching our heads over creationism, nutrition or global warming.
I stopped taking serious heed in those type of articles a long time ago - first thing I check? Who sponsored it. And if it benefits them, then I just take it with a grain of salt because of course it's going to make them look good.