Fact checks about life expectancy and the reporting of medical risks
Health
Unreliable research from a male wellness company, which claimed that women are less healthy than men in the UK, has been widely shared by MPs, the media and institutions around the country. Read
Health
The chemical is used during the manufacturing process, but the FDA found no methylene chloride in samples of Acesulfame K that it tested, and said it does not expect it to be present. Read
Health
The Mail reported that a new study shows going to bed between 10pm and 11pm cuts your risk of heart disease. The study found a link between the two but not causation. Read
Health
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
Health
Type 2 diabetes sufferers make up one in 10 hospital admissions in England but a small fraction were admitted for type 2 diabetes as the main diagnosis. Read
Health
Research by Public Health England into the prescribing of five specific types of drug found there wasn’t enough evidence to say how many people were addicted. Read
Health
The World Health Organisation says ‘eliminating measles’ means the number of cases in a country is at a level where it can’t circulate easily. Read
Health
The chance of reaching 100 for a 30 year old in the UK is estimated to be 17.2% for women and 12.5% for men. Not “one in three” as claimed by Matt Hancock. Read
Crime
There isn’t enough available evidence to say that cocaine use in Britain has doubled, and certainly not that one in 50 Londoners are snorting it. Read
Health
The death rate in the UK from heart disease is falling, but at a much slower rate than in previous years. Read
