Flora Teoh

Senior Health Editor, Science Feedback

0.4Neutral
- Health
Posted on: 2019-01-07
Time article on bone marrow transplant trial for multiple sclerosis treatment mostly accurate but needs more important details and context

“The article contains some inaccuracies and simplifications, but is overall accurate. It is not clear which article and whose scientific data it refers to. Such information should be mentioned in the article. The type of stem cells that were used for the procedure is also unclear. Immune system renewal after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has actually been demonstrated a long time ago…”
-1.3Low
- Health
Posted on: 2018-12-20
2018’s most popular health article promoting cannabis’ safety found to be biased and misleading

“The article fails to point out that only very limited, low-quality evidence supports the use of cannabis for treating chronic pain. The article also fails to describe the potential harms of cannabis. Although it does not cause fatal overdose, it does cause intoxication and impairment, and driving under the influence is dangerous. Also, both acute and chronic use of cannabis cause cognitive impairment which can interfere with an individual’s safety and productivity.”
Misleading
- Health
Posted on: 2018-12-20
2018’s most popular health article wrongly claims that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol

Claim:

Federal study finds marijuana a hundred times less toxic than alcohol, safer than tobacco

Source: urhealthguide, John Regan, 2018-01-04
- Health
Posted on: 2018-12-17
Scientists discuss the widely shared Huffington Post article “Everything You Know About Obesity Is Wrong”

The article failed to place the science in context and overstated scientific confidence, resulting in flawed conclusions. Reviewers also pointed out the bias present in the article which discussed only the negative aspects of obese people’s interactions with society and the medical establishment, while glossing over how both groups have worked to help promote healthy living and weight loss in the obese, such as in the implementation of sugar taxes and the development of medical interventions like bariatric surgery.
Inaccurate
- Health
Posted on: 2018-12-09
Claim that the World Health Organization finds “bacon as harmful as cigarettes” is inaccurate and misleading

Claim:

World Health Organization Officially Declares Bacon is as Harmful as Cigarettes

Source: Truth Reporter, Anonymous, 2018-07-10
-1.3Low
- Health
Posted on: 2018-12-05
Viral news article misinterprets classification of processed meat as carcinogenic in claiming it is “as harmful as cigarettes”

“The classification of processed meat as “Group 1” – carcinogenic to humans means that the evidence is as strong as for other risk factors included in the Group 1 category, including tobacco. It does not mean that the risk is the same. While Cancer Research UK estimates that 19% of all cancers are caused by tobacco, processed meat is estimated to cause 3% of all cancers. The presentation of the facts in this article is therefore inaccurate, confusing and misleading to the readers.”
1.5Very high
- Health
Posted on: 2018-11-28
Time article accurately describes distinguishing features between influenza infection and infection by other respiratory viruses

“Generally accurate. However, the main issue is that influenza viruses can also cause a “cold”, i.e. upper respiratory tract infection. A “cold” is a symptom/diagnosis whereas “influenza” is a virus that can cause symptoms such as a cold. There could be a better distinction by saying there are lots of viruses (flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), rhinovirus, coronavirus, etc.) that cause respiratory infections including ‘colds’ and ‘chest infections’.”

Flora Teoh

Time article on bone marrow transplant trial for multiple sclerosis treatment mostly accurate but needs more important details and context

2018’s most popular health article promoting cannabis’ safety found to be biased and misleading

2018’s most popular health article wrongly claims that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol

Scientists discuss the widely shared Huffington Post article “Everything You Know About Obesity Is Wrong”

Claim that the World Health Organization finds “bacon as harmful as cigarettes” is inaccurate and misleading

Viral news article misinterprets classification of processed meat as carcinogenic in claiming it is “as harmful as cigarettes”

Time article accurately describes distinguishing features between influenza infection and infection by other respiratory viruses

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