Add Women’s Health magazine to my list of publications guilty of disease-mongering by advocating tests that are not supported by evidence – recommendations that run counter to those of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
The article, “THE MEDICAL TESTS YOU SHOULD TAKE: Head-to-Toe Tune-Up” is not unlike those I’ve criticized on CNN, in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and in a number of other news outlets.
No source is given for the recommendations.
Journalists: when you promote testing and screening in healthy populations in the absence of evidence of benefit and in the presence of known harms you may be causing harm yourselves. And you’re certainly stirring up the “worried well” to seek medical attention when they may not need it. We’re already devoting 16% of the gross domestic product to health care.
Opinions on other issues in news, journals, PR, advertising, marketing
Puleeeeease... this 'game changer' weight loss drug causes more nausea and vomiting than a placebo. Some game, some change. My friend Gary would spank you for using the eighth word medical reporters should never, ever use. @garyschwitzer @thackerpd
https://www.healthnewsreview.org/toolkit/just-journalists-writing-tips-case-studies/7-words-and-more-you-shouldnt-use-in-medical-news/ https://twitter.com/OttawaCitizen/status/1361426796126830597
A scary @statnews Op-Ed warns that govt attempts to rein in Pharma may cut off access to "life-changing" drugs.
It takes @garyschwitzer to let us know: the author spent 10 years as Pfizer's public-policy chief. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1360325022578053123
.@TranspariMED criticizes STAT op-ed for not disclosing pharma funding of author’s institute - similar to criticism we’ve made of STAT op-eds in the past. @transparify @ThinkTankWatch @icer_review https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2021/02/transparency-watchdog-criticizes-stats-non-disclosure-on-pro-pharma-op-ed/
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