Scientific studies that show an association between a factor and a health effect do not necessarily imply that the factor causes the health effect. Scientific studies that show an association between a factor and a health effect do not necessarily imply that the factor causes the health effect.
New York, NY -- October 2007. Widespread misinterpretation of health-related research, especially reports that conflate association with causation, leads to confusion and mistrust of health advice, according to physicians and scientists associated with the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH).
An October 26, 2007 post by John Tierney on his New York Times science blog included a quote from ACSH's report on trans fat and this statement from ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan on the topic:
Keeping a positive attitude after a cancer diagnosis has no bearing on longevity, according to a recent study in the December issue of Cancer, the journal of the American Cancer Society. Media hype has gotten patients, as well as medical professionals, to buy into the idea that a positive attitude is a must for surviving the typically serious and frightening diagnosis.
A report today from northeastern Pennsylvania describes a fruitless search for the environmental "cause" of an increased rate of a blood disease called polycythemia vera (known among medical folk as P Vera -- here I'll use PCV). While not in fact a cancer, it often deteriorates into some form of leukemia, or it can lead to other blood disorders of high mortality. The federal epidemiologists found no specific explanation for the apparent increased incidence of PCV.
This piece first appeared on HuffingtonPost.com.
This piece first appeared in the New York Post and was noted on NY1 Itch for that day.
The days of deception on the health risks of cigarettes aren't over after all -- although now the distortion's coming from the "good guys."
An October 22, 2007 piece by Jordana Miller pushes the idea of an epidemic of chemical-caused childhood disease but quotes Dr. Whelan on a skeptical note:
Elizabeth Whelan, president of the American Council on Science and Health, a public health advocacy group, disagrees.
This morning's New York Times op-ed "A Two-Cigarette Society" by attorney David G. Adams made me think I was reading The Onion. Adams argued that we should have two types of cigarettes, one with and one without nicotine. He is proposing that we start young adults out on nicotine-free cigarettes, so they don't get hooked.
Amid the welter of often-conflicting diet and health advice, it can be difficult to figure out what constitutes a healthful diet and lifestyle -- especially when it comes to preventing heart disease. Should one go low-fat or avoid alcohol while doubling up on soy foods? How much exercise is enough, and should it be aerobic or strength training? A new report in the Archives of Internal Medicine (Akesson, A, et al., Combined effect of low-risk dietary and lifestyle behaviors in primary prevention of myocardial infarction in women. Arch Intern Med.
