Science, Spin & Understanding Numbers

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I was reading published research studies that do a great job of continuing to promote our drug culture.  The first one was on Lipitor and how it was shown to reduce heart attacks by 36%.  But closer look at the study shows they were comparing those taking this statin drug versus people taking sugar pills.  People taking sugar pills had heart attacks at a rate of 3 per 100.  Those taking Lipitor had a heart attack rate of 2 out of 100.   this is actually a reduction of one person per 100 or a 1% improvement in heart attack rates.  See if you can figure out how they came up with the number of 36%.

The other study I was reading was on how vaccines have no relationship to autism.  This was just published in the Journal of Pediatrics.  I am sure that many a medical doctor will simply read the headline and be convinced of the accuracy of this information.  But what does the study really say?  Well, they looked at children with autism and how many vaccines they have gotten.  Then they looked at children that didn't have autism and how many vaccines they have gotten.  If the number of vaccines was similar, then this was suppose to prove that vaccines could not have been the reason for autism.  Yes, that's the level of critical thinking going into this landmark study.

How about a study of vaccination children versus those non-vaccinated?  And lets look at autism, allergies, asthma and all the other "a" conditions.  That would be simple and maybe more meaningful.

It is a shame.

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