This is what the page of the local newspaper & health welfare should be?

I get excited when I see a newspaper – as my local Star Tribune-add a science page, which they did recently.  And I don't get too upset that none of the entries on this page of science were produced locally. Better than nothing, I thought.  No damage.  Maybe it will improve science literacy and interest in science, a little on some readers.Then Sunday Star Tribune yesterday splashes this health + wellbeing page on me.  And 80%...

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Pill of progress: what are the chances of a drug becomes for the market?

The following is a guest post by Chad Parmet, a research associate with the Foundation for informed medical decisions.  Chad meets, assesses and summarizes the current medical research to support decision-making programs shared ® new or revised. Prior to joining the Foundation, he worked as a medical writer. He holds a Bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Pennsylvania. In the past, he revised many stories to HealthNewsReview.org....

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Health news Watchdog barks at stories about health of children and dogs

An article published in Pediatrics, Respiratory tract diseases during the first year of life: effect of dog and cat contacts "is getting a lot of attention in the news, but more than misses what most of these stories generally Miss: you cannot prove cause and effect from an observational study.  And there are major limitations on research based on people keeping diaries and answer questionnaires.The study concludes:".. dog contacts may have...

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Marketing and politicize the menopause

The Associated Press reported this week the marketing of a new product line of menopause – "a line of products that target American women 50 million that are or will soon go through menopause. Prices between $ 9.99 and $ 7.99, the line includes lubricant for vaginal dryness, adhesives, socks and feminine cleaning air freshener to the odor and cooling gel roll-on and wipes for women have hot flashes. " Snippet:Feminine washes are usually not recommended...

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Epidemiologists call them "absolute risk"; you and I could call them real numbers

In a recent Huffington Post blog post, Gil Welch Dartmouth approached a old topic, our pet, "the problem is relative."  Snippet:Numerous studies have shown that the general public has exaggerated perceptions of health risks they face — as well as exaggerated expectations of the provision of medical care.It is because they are stupid? No instead, the problem concerns how various sources of health information — researchers, doctors, reporters,...

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The news of alcohol-osteoporosis: only 40 women ... just a surrogate marker

In a race to the incomplete news coverage, news about a study published in the journal menopause, "the moderate alcohol consumption reduces the biochemical markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women," can overcome the news earlier in the week from a BMJ paper on alcohol and arthritis – both in volume and in the absence of key restrictions.This was a small study of short term in just 40 women.  Still look as final are the statements in...

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