It’s hard to interpret the results of health studies (or any studies, for that matter). Often what we read is contradictory to previous information we’ve been exposed to. Knowing how to read and interpret a study is important if you are learning about your mind and body.
Most analyses of health studies are presented to the mass public as short synopses, missing many relevant facts. More importantly, the author of the mass-read article may not even have understood the study. Often their work is a simple paraphrasing of the conclusion without a solid comprehension of the goals of the study or the methods used to come to that conclusion.
In a now famous quote, Benjamin Disraeli said, ‘There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics.’ What he meant was that it is possible to make statistics indicate many different things, and a naive reporter may either intentionally or inadvertently mis-convey the results of research.
Since most of the items I present in this newsletter are simplified versions of the formal work, it is a good idea to start out by reading How to Make Sense of Seemingly Contradictory Studies and taking heed of the various ideas presented.
Other news
- Our number one cause of death in the US is now a significant factor worldwide. According to the Associated Press, cardiovascular ailments kill more than AIDS, TB or malaria combined
- A study published in the British Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine indicates proper
forearm support may cut computer injuries - Also from HealthDay news, a report showing the importance of a socially enriched lifestyle: socially active elderly suffered less neurological damage, study found
- Aerobic exercise can be significantly beneficial to overall brain function. For a quick overview and links to more information, read Brain Function and Exercise
Healthy thoughts,
Jeff
