Manipulative/Misinterpreted statistics in Public Health Analysis

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Manipulative/Misinterpreted statistics in Public Health
In the modern-day, popular mass media is consumed by billions all around the world. The emergence of social networks has made the world a global village where news spreads with a button's touch. While the media enjoys its fair share of critics over bias in reporting, it plays a huge part in educating and sensitizing the masses. However, their focus on the hype and a need to display eye-catching headlines and news stories has often led to over-reporting and exaggerated figures (Cross).
The use of online polls and improperly set up surveys on the street can lead to erroneous conclusions. Most news channels use these methods to collect data and claim that it is statistically correct. A study done in December 2018 states that many news agencies often relay data that is heavily reliant on statistical significance instead of medical significance (Indrayan). These reports have an impact on the general population, with many people trusting them as valid sources of information. During ...