Important Terms and Tips When Reading a Health Article or Study
We read through a lot of health and wellness articles, news stories, and studies every week. Some are good, some are great, and some are less so. In that time, we’ve learned some important health and wellness writing phrases that may be confusing to people who don’t read them all the time.
Here at Medicareful Living, we don’t want to just help you to be healthier. We want to teach you how to find that out for yourself and understand what you’re reading. At the same time, knowing these terms will help you identify bad science reporting that uses vague or misleading terms to make something seem more groundbreaking or newsworthy than it really is.
Understanding Risk
It’s easy to misread risk factors in health writing, because you often see firm numbers that seem to tell the whole story. That’s not the case, and it’s important that you know the difference because it’s a likelihood percent change and a total likelihood percent. For example, when something lowers your risk, that doesn’t mean you won’t develop what’s at risk. If you have a 30 percent chance of developing a sickness, and eating a certain food is shown to lower your risk 40 percent, you don’t have negative 10 percent chance. It means your risk is lowered by 12 percent (40 percent of 30 percent) to an 18 percent chance risk. A similar misunderstanding occurs with headlines that claim a habit makes you 9 times more likely to develop cancer. Those numbers are called odds likelihood ratios, and are sometimes mistaken for being probabilities (percentages that something may happen). In reality, they are only used to compare the difference between two groups and can be misunderstood when seen at a glance. Even when used correctly, the effect may not be as large as you expect, since the numbers are only comparative and shouldn’t be used for estimating probability.
The problem is that misunderstanding the differences can make the results seem more impressive of a change than they actually are.
What difference does this make for you? Well, when you’re reading a study’s results (or a report on the study) and you see the findings of the study were that eating anchovies lowers your risk of cognitive decline by 10 percent, the results may seem significant, and depending on the hard statistics, they may be. But it may seem more impressive of a change than it actually is. Speaking of significance…
Significant
When you read that the results of a study were significant or that after eating a food for a month, brain function was significantly increased, it sounds, well, significant. It feels like there was a large or major change in the findings, but the word significant in science doesn’t specifically refer to the size or magnitude of the change, but probability. Generally, when talking about health studies, the phrase refers to statistical significance, which means the result likely isn’t due to chance. In other words, statistical significance is more closely defined as “real” than “meaningful,” though statistically significant results can be both.
Both the relevance and meaningfulness of a study’s findings require looking into the other research into the field as well as the real-world effects the study had.
Statistical significance on its own isn’t a great measure of effect for the overall study, though it can act as a good starting place. Instead, relevance and meaningfulness are key, though this is often inferred by the conclusions of the study. Both the relevance and meaningfulness of a study’s findings require looking into the other research into the field as well as the real-world effects the study had. Why is this all important to you, the reader? When you read a study or a health article and you see the results are significant, it’s easy to use the common definition of significant, which would be meaningful. But before you get excited, take a second to look at the context of the findings to determine if they are meaningful or relevant to our previous knowledge. This will help you to understand both the writing better and how to not get fooled.
Uncertainty in Writing
Finally, when you’re reading an article, possibly one of our articles even, and you see uncertain language or hedging words, there’s often a reason for this, but the context of that is very important. When used in relation to the analysis of the results of a study, like “these findings could show…” there is a risk that the uncertainty is being used to color a certain finding with bias, intentionally or unintentionally. This can be especially problematic if the hedging phrases are being used by third party outlets reporting on the studies and applying analyses that may not actually be relevant. We’re very aware of this responsibility, but it’s still key that you, our readers, are aware of how much these hedging words can be used to change the reporting on a study.
Uncertainty, when used for things that you can’t possibly be certain of, reflects honesty.
That said, uncertainty isn’t always a bad thing in health writing. You’ll notice that we often say things like “making this health change can lower your risk…” or “you may be able to find a plan…” in our articles. It’s for a good reason. While uncertainty can be used to (purposefully or accidentally) add bias, so can making false promises and implying certainty when there can’t possibly be any. Everyone’s health and bodies are different, so what may curb somebody’s appetite and help them lose weight might not for somebody else. The treatment that will lower one person’s risk of cognitive decline by 30 percent may only lower it by 10 percent for another. Uncertainty, when used for things that you can’t possibly be certain of, reflects honesty.
Between each of these factors you should consider when reading a health or wellness article, there is a lot of grey space. In risk, a 23 percent decrease may be substantial or it may not. Statistical significance isn’t always what we’d consider to be significant. And uncertainty in writing can be a good thing or a bad thing. So, why did we make it more confusing to read this type of article?
● ● ●
By knowing what to look out for, you can take an active role in understanding what you’re reading. Unfortunately, we can’t give you any rules across the board that’ll easily define what’s a good use of uncertainty and what’s not, or when statistical significance is both relevant and meaningful. What we can do is give you the understanding to figure that out for yourself and to call us out if we ever fall short (and we hope you do!). By being better health and wellness writers and readers, we can improve the general conversation and understanding surrounding these confusing topics.
Featured Blogs
- Learning to Ski
- The Stories Behind Classic Christmas Carols
- 4 More Tips to Make Christmas Tree Hunt Less Stressful
- Why Do We Celebrate That? Other Festive Holidays
- A Senior Guide to Boston
- A Senior Guide to Edinburgh
- How Does Medicare Cover Osteoporosis?
- What are Ulcers?
- Medicare's Coverage of Parkinson's Disease
- What is a Cognitive Screening?
- Spooky Spots for Halloween 2023
- 4 Ways to Keep Trick-or-Treating Safe
- 10 Classic Horror Books for Halloween
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2024
- 10 Safety Rules for Seniors Who Enjoy Hunting
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- A Senior Guide to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- A Senior Guide to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- All About Enrolling in Social Security
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Madrid
- Does Medicare Cover Open-Heart Surgery?
- Exercise Tips for Summer
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lisbon
- Hosting a Safe Summer Barbecue
- Senior Summer Barbecue Tips
- Does Medicare Cover Biopsies?
- 5 Foods to Avoid if You Have High Blood Pressure
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Finger Lakes
- Does Medicare Cover Endoscopies?
- Ways Seniors Can Recover from a Workout
- Is Chocolate Healthy for You?
- Understanding Adult ADHD
- How Does Medicare Cover Hypertension?
- The Symptoms and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
- How to Determine What Temperature to Use When Cooking
- Eating Healthy on a Budget
- Keeping Fit on Vacation
- Is Your Tonsillectomy Covered by Medicare?
- Tips for the Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Kitchen First Aid Tips
- What Does FDA-Approved Mean?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Guide to New York City
- How to Caramelize Onions
- Why Do We Celebrate That? April Fools’ Day
- Medicare and Powers of Attorney
- The Essential Role of Eggs in Cooking
- What are Different Types of Complementary
and Alternative Medicine? - Tips for Remembering to Take Your Medicine
- What is Medicare Part E?
- Building Your Basic At-Home Senior Gym
- How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to New Orleans
- How to Navigate & Read Academic Articles
- Phytonutrients: What Plant Color Says About Nutrition
- How to Prevent or Reduce Inflammation
- Osteoporosis: Risk Factors, Signs, and Treatment
- How to Make Homemade Pretzels
- Researching Your Ancestry and Family Tree
- How Medicare and Social Security Work Together
- What is Nordic Walking?
- Food Questions You've Been Embarrassed to Ask
- How Medicare Changed for 2023 and Beyond
- Tips for Using a Microwave
- How to Clean Your Ears Safely
- Skiing as a Healthy Hobby for Seniors
- 3 More Great Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve
- Why Do We Celebrate That? More New Year's Eve Traditions
- Panettone, the Italian Christmas Dessert
- A Simple Homemade Gingerbread Recipe
- How to Make Christmas Decorating Jollier
- The Science of Winter Weight Gain
- Seasonal Picks: 3 Foods You Should Try This Winter
- 5 Tips to Make Getting Your Christmas Tree Stress-Free
- Show-Stopping Potato Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Boeuf Bourguignon
- Holiday Travel Tips to Reduce Stress
- Does Medicare Cover Pain Management?
- Is Hunting a Healthy Senior Hobby?
- Ways You Can Get More Politically Involved
- What are Medicare's Lifetime Reserve Days?
- Spooky Spots for Seniors Halloween 2022
- How to Make Soul Cakes for Halloween
- Jack O' Lantern Carving Tips for Halloween
- Easy Ways to Peel a Potato
- 2023 Social Security COLA Largest in Decades
- Exercise Tips for Autumn
- How to Make Candy Apples at Home
- Why are Medicare Insurance Sales Calls Recorded?
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2023
- CMS Updates Medicare Enrollment Rules for 2023
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to London
- Does Medicare Cover Insomnia Treatment?
- Healthy and Easy Homemade Dog Treats
- The FDA Finalizes Ruling to Increase Access to Hearing Aids
- What the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Means for Medicare
- Tips to Make Flying and Airports Less Stressful
- CMS Projects Lower 2023 Part D Average Costs
- The 15 Golden Rules of Airplane Etiquette
- How Often Should You Shower?
- What are Medicare Pilot Programs?
- How to Care for Your Cast Iron Cookware
- Confronting a Loved One About Hurtful Behavior
- What Does Creditable Coverage Mean for Medicare?
- Using Za'atar in Your Cooking
- Dealing with Canceled Flights
- Protecting Your Vacation from Flight Disruptions
- Do Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Medicare Coverage?
- Which is Better: A Bath or Shower?
- Are Weight Loss Medications Healthy?
- Healthy Strategies for Anger Management
- The Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- The Difference Between Common Cooking Papers and Foils
- What are Medicare I-SNPs?
- Identifying Toxic Relationships in Your Life
- Healthy Ways to Spice Up Your Water
- All About Medicare Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans
- Medicareful Travels: A Senior Guide to All-Inclusive Resorts
- Does Medicare Cover Occupational Therapy?
- Lower 2023 Medicare Part B Premium Could Be on the Way
- Which is Better: Natural or Artificial Sweeteners?
- Tips for Vacationing with Pets
- Is It Better to Work Out Harder or Longer?
- Tips for Traveling with Your Pet
- Are Medicare Part B Giveback Plans Worth It?
- Introducing the Medicareful Living Family Cookbook!
- Medicare Coverage for Treatment of PTSD
- The Causes and Treatments of Nasal Congestion
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Spring Rolls
- Medicare Freezes Late Enrollment Penalties for Qualifying Enrollees
- What is a 5-Star Medicare Plan?
- What is PTSD?
- What is Inflammation?
- What is Medicare's Secondary Payer Program?
- What You Should Know When Buying Cast Iron Cookware
- What Does MACRA Mean for You?
- What to Do If You Receive a Terminal Diagnosis
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Homemade Lobster Ravioli
- Reading and Understanding Your Blood Pressure
- How to Be a Snowbird in Retirement (18 Questions to Ask!)