Story Reviews - Systematic, Criteria-Driven

Preventive medicines can help migraine sufferers

This story about new migraine prevention guidelines didn’t mention the industry conflicts that pervade the writing committee that issued the recommendations.

Experts issue new guidelines for preventing migraines with drugs

This story pointed out the many connections between the guideline authors and the drug industry–something the competing USA Today coverage missed. But the story wasn’t as specific about potential benefits or harms.

Surgery for migraines: Help or hokum?

The use of “hokum” in a headline always makes us smile, but despite the fact that the story met many of our criteria, we weren’t all smiles after reading it.

Alzheimer’s: New test aids early diagnosis, but worth it to know?

This story never clearly explained what information is conveyed by a positive or negative test and how the result might be useful for decision-making in patients with cognitive impairment.

Experimental Prostate Cancer Treatment Shows Promise

A story based on another news organization’s story.  If someone else’s work is to be copied, we’d suggest copying the Behind the Headlines review.

Are breast lumps cancerous? A new device may help

Despite what the headline projects, you really can’t tell whether or how much a new device may help after tests in 7 people.

Thyme’s Time as Acne Remedy May Be Coming Soon

Read that headline above.  What does “may be coming soon” mean to you?  Don’t hold your breath if soon implies to you anything like the standard definition of “a short time.”

Treating Sleep Apnea Without the Mask

We don’t doubt that some of the sleep apnea sufferers cited in this story are truly excited about being able to sleep without having a bulky device on their faces. But stories like this owe it to readers to separate individual enthusiasm from clinical evidence.

Soy Supplements Can Cool Hot Flashes: Study

This is the kind of story that might leave womens’ heads spinning.

• “Soy supplements can cool hot flashes” is the definitive headline.
• “What this study shows is that ingesting soy isoflavones will help you” is the definitive statement made by the researcher.
• But a quote from an independent expert is buried deep in the story: “I think this study does not provide answers to women.”

Hormone replacement therapy regains popularity

Imbalanced and incorrect on several counts.