New medical research findings are published every day, and the results are frequently picked up by mainstream media sources. Some of these reports focus on studies of people who have health concerns similar to you or may point to health findings that are of interest to you. However, before you apply the results of any given study to your daily life, you should consider if the research findings are relevant to you. Here are three questions that may help.
Who participated in the study?
Consider whether you fit the profile of the people who were studied. Compare your own demographics – such as sex and gender, age, race, and ethnicity – and your health history to those who were studied. Then, even if you share the characteristics of those studied, consider whether you have additional risk or protective factors that may alter how these findings apply to you.
How can I understand how studies are designed to collect health data?
There are many ways to investigate a scientific question. The two main approaches to collecting health data are through observational and experimental studies.
Observational Studies
In an observational study, health behaviors are not controlled nor is a specific intervention tested. Researchers watch and chart health conditions and related behaviors over time as these naturally occur in a broad sample of people and measure the health outcomes. An example of a well-known observational study is the Framingham Heart Study, which has followed three generations of participants to identify common cardiovascular disease characteristics and risk factors.
Experimental Studies
In an experimental study, participants are chosen who share similar demographics, health history, and have the same health condition under investigation. Participants are then typically randomly divided into two groups with one group receiving, for example, a new medication, and the other group receiving the current usual treatment. This allows researchers to see if there is a difference in health outcome due specifically to the new medication. An example of a large, ongoing experimental study is comparing a new three-medication regimen with treatment as usual for women with small vessel heart disease who are at risk for heart attack.
Both types of studies provide value, however experimental studies are considered a “gold standard” because key factors affecting outcome are held constant between the two groups.
How can I have confidence in the information I get from mainstream media sources?
It is a good idea to double-check what you have read with another source. Reliable sources include academic medical centers, federal agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health, and health-based non-profit organizations, such as the American Heart Association.
The best individual health decisions, however, are made when informed consumers consider study results in collaboration with trusted health care providers.