ClassX Video Lessons Can you spot the problem with these headlines? (Level 1) – Jeff Leek & Lucy McGowan
Health headlines often grab our attention with bold claims like “New drug may cure cancer,” “Aspirin may reduce risk of heart attacks,” and “Eating breakfast can help you lose weight.” But sometimes, these headlines can be misleading or even contradict each other, making it hard to know what’s true. Let’s dive into why this happens and how we can better understand these claims.
In the world of medicine, there’s often a big difference between what headlines say and what scientific research actually shows. Headlines are designed to catch your eye, often by making big claims. On the other hand, scientific studies usually focus on very specific questions. To figure out if these claims are true, it’s important to look at the original research behind them.
Let’s look at three made-up research scenarios to see where headlines might go wrong.
Imagine a study where a new cancer drug is tested on mice. One group of mice gets the drug, and the other gets a placebo. At the end of the study, the mice that got the drug are cured, while the others are not. The headline says, “Study shows new drug could cure cancer.” The problem here is that the study was done on mice, not humans. We can’t say the drug will work on people just because it worked on mice. Usually, drugs are first tested on animals, and if the results are good, they move on to human trials.
In another study, men are split into two groups: one takes aspirin every day, and the other takes a placebo. The group taking aspirin has fewer heart attacks. The headline reads, “Aspirin may reduce risk of heart attacks.” The issue is that the study only included men, so we can’t say for sure that the same results would apply to women. Studies often focus on specific groups, and to make broader claims, more research is needed with diverse participants.
Researchers ask people who usually skip breakfast to start eating it every day. After a year, they lose an average of five pounds. The headline claims, “Eating breakfast can help you lose weight.” But we can’t be sure that eating breakfast was the only reason they lost weight. Other factors might have played a role, and we would need a comparison group that continued skipping breakfast to make a stronger conclusion.
Even if you can’t access full research papers, you can still critically evaluate health news. Look for summaries of the study’s design and results in abstracts or news articles. Remember, individual studies might not always match the catchy headlines, and big health claims need a lot of evidence over time. By reading beyond the headlines, you can better understand the science behind health claims and stay informed.
Read a selection of recent health headlines and try to identify any potential issues or misleading claims. Discuss with your classmates why these headlines might not fully represent the research behind them. Consider what additional information you would need to evaluate the claims accurately.
In groups, create a short skit based on one of the hypothetical research scenarios discussed in the article. Act out the roles of researchers, journalists, and the public to explore how research findings can be communicated and misunderstood. Reflect on how to improve the accuracy of health news reporting.
Choose a health-related topic and design a simple research study. Consider the variables, the population you would study, and how you would ensure your results are reliable. Present your study design to the class and discuss how you would communicate your findings in a headline.
Practice evaluating health news articles by identifying the study’s design, population, and results. Use a checklist to assess the credibility of the claims made in the article. Share your evaluations with the class and discuss how these skills can help you make informed health decisions.
Take a misleading health headline and rewrite it to more accurately reflect the research findings. Share your revised headlines with the class and explain the changes you made. Discuss how accurate headlines can impact public understanding of health issues.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any unnecessary repetition and ensuring clarity:
—
Health headlines often make bold claims, such as “New drug may cure cancer,” “Aspirin may reduce risk of heart attacks,” and “Eating breakfast can help you lose weight.” However, these headlines can sometimes contradict each other, making it challenging to discern genuine health concerns from less conclusive information.
In medicine, there is often a disconnect between news headlines and the scientific research they represent. Headlines are designed to attract attention, often by making sweeping claims, while scientific studies typically focus on narrow, specific questions. To better understand the validity of these claims, it’s essential to examine the original research behind them.
Let’s explore three hypothetical research scenarios to identify potential flaws in the corresponding headlines.
1. **Cancer Drug Study**: A study using mice tests a new cancer drug, with one group receiving the drug and the other a placebo. At the end of the trial, the mice treated with the drug are cured, while those with the placebo are not. The headline states, “Study shows new drug could cure cancer.” The flaw here is that since the study was conducted on mice, we cannot draw conclusions about human disease based on this research. Early drug research is typically not conducted on humans; clinical trials follow if initial results are promising.
2. **Aspirin and Heart Attack Risk**: In another study, men are divided into two groups: one takes aspirin daily, while the other takes a placebo. The control group experiences significantly more heart attacks than the aspirin group. The headline reads, “Aspirin may reduce risk of heart attacks.” The issue is that the study only involved men, so we cannot generalize the results to women. Studies often limit participants based on various factors, and broader conclusions require additional research across diverse groups.
3. **Breakfast and Weight Loss**: Researchers ask a group of people who typically skip breakfast to start eating it daily. Over a year, participants lose an average of five pounds. The headline claims, “Eating breakfast can help you lose weight.” However, while participants lost weight, we cannot conclude that it was solely due to eating breakfast. Other factors may have influenced their weight loss, and a comparison group of individuals who continued to skip breakfast would be necessary to draw more definitive conclusions.
To critically evaluate health news, even when full research papers are not accessible, look for summaries of experimental design and results in freely available abstracts or news articles. Individual studies may not always align with catchy headlines, and significant health conclusions require extensive evidence over time. By reading beyond the headlines, we can stay informed about the science behind health claims.
Health – The state of being free from illness or injury – Maintaining good health involves regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions – Scientists conduct research to find new treatments for diseases.
Claims – Statements that assert something to be true, typically without providing evidence or proof – The advertisement made claims about the product’s ability to improve memory.
Studies – Detailed investigations and analyses of a subject or situation – Recent studies suggest that getting enough sleep is crucial for mental health.
Evaluate – To judge or determine the significance, worth, or quality of something – It is important to evaluate the credibility of health information found online.
Aspirin – A medication used to reduce pain, fever, or inflammation – Doctors sometimes recommend aspirin to help prevent heart attacks.
Cancer – A disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body – Early detection of cancer can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
Breakfast – The first meal of the day, usually eaten in the morning – Eating a healthy breakfast can provide the energy needed for a productive day.
Weight – The measure of how heavy a person or object is – Maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall well-being.
Risk – The possibility of something bad happening – Smoking increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
