Very interesting TED talk on how the media portrays medical studies

A while back, a study from the UK made global headlines: "alcohol consumption increases cancer risk in women!" And newscasters went on to say that the risk was increased regardless of the amount or type of alcohol... What they didn't say though is that the study revealed that the risk went up from 1.00 in 30,000 in "non-drinkers" to, wait for it... 1.05 in 30,000 for "drinkers"

Statin drugs are prescribed to the majority of people with high cholesterol, and the public has been convinced of the necessity of doing so. But the statistics are as follows: the number lives saved by statin drugs in the population classified as "low risk" is, wait for it again... ZERO! And no, high cholesterol does NOT classify you as "high risk". "High risk" classification requires high blood pressure, diabetes, a previous stroke or heart attack, etc. This is alarming since the list of side-effects of statin drugs will fill up pages, including increased risk of various nervous disorders, degenerative diseases, etc.

This entertaining and informative TED talk shed light on how studies are portrayed by the media and educates you on how to read through the headlines and draw your own educated conclusions.

Enjoy.

T