This is why I don't trust Medical Statistics

[tim-from-pa]

Here's a dire article about increasing hypertension in children:

http://www.theheart.org/article/1417387.do

Now compare that to the article in this thread:

http://www.christianforums.net/showthread.php?t=43047

I'm glad I found this for those critics who rationalize away the sacredness of statics as if I don't know what I'm talking about. Blatant contradiction. Which is it now??? I guess it depends on who wants to sell what kind of drugs. Needless to say, this is why I don't trust these statistics for sun exposure and cancer, saturated fats (or salt) and heart disease, etc. etc. I'm experiencing the opposite of what they say is happening. And now folks can understand why I don't take kindly for "nannyism" to be crammed down our throats or our kids forced to this stuff when it's erroneous.

 

[elizabethbraddock]

The problem is that statistics can vary depending on the sample size and the portion of the population that is sampled.

As far as the results of a poor diet and sun exposure, I have experience working in a medical setting and see the results of these things often. A statistic only tells you correlation, and correlation does not necessarily equal causation. It tells you the probability that a certain percentage of the population will experience these effects. You were blessed enough to be in the portion of the population that does not have to deal with these issues.

Here's a dire article about increasing hypertension in children:

http://www.theheart.org/article/1417387.do

Now compare that to the article in this thread:

http://www.christianforums.net/showthread.php?t=43047

I'm glad I found this for those critics who rationalize away the sacredness of statics as if I don't know what I'm talking about. Blatant contradiction. Which is it now??? I guess it depends on who wants to sell what kind of drugs. Needless to say, this is why I don't trust these statistics for sun exposure and cancer, saturated fats (or salt) and heart disease, etc. etc. I'm experiencing the opposite of what they say is happening. And now folks can understand why I don't take kindly for "nannyism" to be crammed down our throats or our kids forced to this stuff when it's erroneous.

 

[jasoncran]

most the of medicines measurments are based on statistics.

for instance i just has a pulimary stress test. my max heart is 220-39=181.it was 192 when they stopped the test.

 

[GojuBrian]

Statistics are manipulated to suit the needs or wants of the entity that uses it. It's not just the medical field that does it.

 

[tim-from-pa]

Statistics are manipulated to suit the needs or wants of the entity that uses it. It's not just the medical field that does it.

Or as us mathematicians would say, "statistical fallacy". That's why I stick with my spherical trig and sundials --- straightforward black and white results that have nothing to do with ideological interpretations or false correlations.