In what is becoming a race for the bottom of health news stories, a recent Bloomberg story on Boston.com is headlined:
Lose weight forever?
Obesity cure?
Excerpt from the advertisement- , er, story:
“Long-term results from studies on Abiliti are not yet available. So far, a 12-month study concluded in March of 25 participants showed an average total loss of 14 kilograms and a 30 percent drop in excess weight, or the amount above ideal body weight.”
25 people?
Only at the very end of the story do we hear:
“There’ve been a lot of electric stimulation devices that have failed to show any advantage over placebo” or other weight-loss surgeries, Cleveland Clinic’s Schauer said.
Wow.
Maybe we need to start reviewing Bloomberg pieces on a regular basis. Look at how many other websites picked up this headline and ran with it.
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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