Podcast: Lying With Numbers—How Deceptive Data Bolsters Health Scares

By Cameron English and ChuckDinerstein — Jul 08, 2026

Numbers seem very scientific. They give any argument a veneer of credibility, even a dishonest one that misleads the public. Let's examine some common methods used to take advantage of the public's innumeracy and promote health scares online.

Image: ACSH

Join Dr. Chuck Dinerstein and Cam English on the Science Dispatch podcast as they discuss:

The Mathematics of Medical Panic: How Misused Statistics Distort Healthcare Policy

Healthcare policy is increasingly justified through the language of numbers, yet numerical precision does not guarantee sound reasoning. Some of the most damaging public health controversies, from opioid prescribing restrictions to vaccine skepticism, demonstrate how statistical misunderstandings can distort risk, fuel panic, and transform flawed interpretations into harmful policy.

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Cameron English

Executive Vice President

Cameron English is a writer, editor and co-host of the Science Facts and Fallacies Podcast. Before joining ACSH, he was managing editor at the Genetic Literacy Project.