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Editor’s Corner: A Reflection on the 30 Second Health Soundbites

Welcome to a new feature on our site: Editor’s Corner. This is our opportunity to summarize the latest news in healthcare.

Health information is spouted daily to us on the television, radio, magazines, newspapers and web. Most often, we receive our “latest” health information on the nightly news or the radio as we travel in our car.

The problem with these formats is that you receive a quick summary about an important topic in 15-30 seconds! Now, I ask you, what can you truly learn in that brief synopsis given to you by Brian Williams or Diane Sawyer? Not much.

Here is an example: Last week a report came out stating that a recent study revealed that people who drank as few as two coca cola-type beverages in a week were twice as likely to develop pancreatic cancer as those who do not. I heard it on the radio as I was driving in Detroit. The headline was reported and that was it! Luckily, I’m not a heavy soda drinker. However, think about all of the people driving at the same time I was, hearing this headline and knowing they drink more than two sodas a week. They just heard that they are doubling their risk of pancreatic cancer!

But, is that all there is to it? No. In fact, there is much more to it. The study was done in China. It looked at thousands of people over several years. The study only looked at those who drank soda and those that developed pancreatic cancer over that time period. What the study did not look at was other factors such as smoking, family history and other lifestyle and co-morbidities that could also contribute to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

In other words, was the soda a “true” predictor of pancreatic risk? Or, is it one of many factors? Either way, many soda drinkers probably had a little panic attack when they heard the 30 second soundbite!

With this column, we hope to summarize, clarify, rectify and review the latest headlines and soundbites you hear in regard to health news. It is not our job to tell you how to administer your health. That is a personal choice. But, we do want our readers to be informed. The world of healthcare is always changing: New studies. New medications. New technologies. You are your best advocate in managing your healthcare and your best weapon for fighting any illness is to be informed.

Thanks for reading and visit back here often!

In good health,

Clark