Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15734

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Incomplete reporting of research in academic press releases
The Lancet 2009 Jun 6; 373:(9679):1920
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)61044-8/fulltext?_eventId=login

Abstract:

The media play a pivotal part in disseminating findings of medical research widely and quickly. Medical news attracts large audiences and influences health-care providers and consumers. Coverage is influenced by the pull-effect of reader preferences and the push-effect of press releases. Hence, the popularity of lifestyle stories results in more observational studies being reported than higher levels of evidence. The push-effect of institutions on publication is less clear and raises important c …