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Media

StatisticsAnd putting context to the numbers

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Statistics are undeniably interesting, educational and important

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But it can often be hard to understand them without

CONTEXT

Our media abounds with context-less numbers

Bacon increases risk of

Colorectal cancer by 20%

Lets look at some...

Bacon increases risk of

Colorectal cancer by 20%

1 extra unit of alcohol a day increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer by 12%

Lets look at some...

Just 2 units a day

reduces risk of heart

disease by 17%

Bacon increases risk of

Colorectal cancer by 20%

1 extra unit of alcohol a day increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer by 12%

Lets look at some...

But what do the percentages really

mean?

And is there a more relevant way we could

be describing this information

1. Bacon increases risk of Colorectal cancer by 20%

But how bad is that?

But how bad is that?

1. Bacon increases risk of Colorectal cancer by 20%

Lets assume that ordinarily 5 out of 100 people develop Colorectal cancer.

But how bad is that?

1. Bacon increases risk of Colorectal cancer by 20%

If all 100 ate 3 extra rashers every day... The number could rise to six

So...

“Bacon increases risk of Colorectal cancer by 20%”

Is therefore the same as saying...

“Bacon increases risk of Colorectal cancer by 20%”

Is therefore the same as saying...

About 1 extra case per 100 people

2. One extra unit of alcohol a day increases a woman's risk of breast cancer by 12%

But how bad is that?

2. One extra unit of alcohol a day increases a woman's risk of breast cancer by 12%

But how bad is that?

About 10 out of 100 women have breast cancer in a lifetime.

2. One extra unit of alcohol a day increases a woman's risk of breast cancer by 12%

But how bad is that?

If all 100 drink an extra unit a day, that number rises to 11.

Is therefore the same as saying...

“One extra unit of alcohol per day increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer by 12%”

Is therefore the same as saying...

“One extra unit of alcohol per day increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer by 12%”

About 1 extra case per 100 women

3. Just two units a day reduces risk of heart disease by 17%

But how GOOD is that?

3. Just two units a day reduces risk of heart disease by 17%

But how GOOD is that?

About 32 out of 100 women have coronary heart disease in a lifetime.

But how GOOD is that?

3. Just two units a day reduces risk of heart disease by 17%

If all 100 were to drink 2 units of alcohol every day, that number would fall to 27

So...

Is therefore the same as saying...

“Just two units of alcohol a day reduces risk of heart disease by 17%”

Is therefore the same as saying...

“Just two units of alcohol a day reduces risk of heart disease by 17%”

About 5 fewer cases per 100 women

So... depending on the story

20% can be equal to ONE person in a HUNDRED

So... depending on the story

20% can be equal to ONE person in a HUNDRED

12% can be equal to ONE person in a HUNDRED

So... depending on the story

20% can be equal to ONE person in a HUNDRED

12% can be equal to ONE person in a HUNDRED

17% can be equal to FIVE people in a HUNDRED

So... depending on the story

So...

%Percentage figures without CONTEXT are meaningless

and often misleading

When talking about health matters it isn’t enough to deal

with percentagesThink about number of lives

affected

And...

We must hold our media to account and ensure that

journalists do not go for the FLASHY, SHINY and TRENDY (not to mention misleading) sounding story

rather than the more relevant and helpful one...

“Who might rely on the news for guidance, deserve something more relevant”

Because those:

(M. Blastland)

www.clearpreso.com

www.clearlypresentable.wordpress.com

clearpresentationdesign