A patent for the coronavirus spreading in Wuhan was not applied for in 2015
Coronavirus is not one single virus: it’s a family of them. Read
Fact checks
Health
Get clear and trusted health facts. We explain symptoms, treatments, and health advice in simple language you can understand.
Health
The poorest in UK are living longer, but it seems they feel worse
Newspapers go too far in saying that adults in low-income households are objectively less healthy than they used to be Read
Fact checks
Health
Alex Cunningham and Boris Johnson both used the wrong figures about health inequality
Most men in Stockton live much longer than men in Ethiopia, but one ward is far worse off, and the gap in UK life expectancy is widening. Read
Fact checks
A nearly empty House of Commons may not be a sign that no one cares
The House of Commons was nearly empty at the end of January 15 because this was an adjournment debate. Read
Fact checks
The UK’s adverts watchdog has banned a misleading advert about 5G
The Advertising Standards Authority banned an advert which made unsubstantiated claims about the health impacts of 5G. Read
Fact checks
Health
Quarter of private renters experience sickness over housing worries—but we don’t know if private renting is the cause
A quarter of private renters agree that housing worries have made them ill. The Guardian claimed private renting is the cause which confuses correlation and causation. Read
Fact checks
This claim that 2,000 people have died waiting for benefits since a Universal Credit review was announced needs context
The estimate is an average based on how many people died between 2013 and 2018 waiting for a decision on their Personal Independence Payment decision. Read
Fact checks
Health
Jeremy Hunt muddled the numbers on botched surgeries
Jeremy Hunt said the NHS operates on the wrong part of someone’s body four times a day. It’s actually four times a week. Read
Fact checks
Health
Up to 260 UK patients per year experience vision loss because of healthcare delays
Glaucoma is the most common main diagnosis for such patients. Read
Fact checks
Health
Spectator report on the effect of the sugar tax needs more context
The Spectator said the “achievement” of the sugar tax is an increase in sugar consumption. This data referred to food which isn’t covered by the tax. Sugar consumption in drink that is covered fell. Read
Fact checks
