Inaccurate
Claim that the World Health Organization finds “bacon as harmful as cigarettes” is inaccurate and misleading
Claim:
World Health Organization Officially Declares Bacon is as Harmful as Cigarettes
Flora Teoh
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Source: Truth Reporter, Anonymous, 2018-07-10 -
-1.3LowViral news article misinterprets classification of processed meat as carcinogenic in claiming it is “as harmful as cigarettes”
“The classification of processed meat as “Group 1” – carcinogenic to humans means that the evidence is as strong as for other risk factors included in the Group 1 category, including tobacco. It does not mean that the risk is the same. While Cancer Research UK estimates that 19% of all cancers are caused by tobacco, processed meat is estimated to cause 3% of all cancers. The presentation of the facts in this article is therefore inaccurate, confusing and misleading to the readers.”
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1.5Very highTime article accurately describes distinguishing features between influenza infection and infection by other respiratory viruses
“Generally accurate. However, the main issue is that influenza viruses can also cause a “cold”, i.e. upper respiratory tract infection. A “cold” is a symptom/diagnosis whereas “influenza” is a virus that can cause symptoms such as a cold. There could be a better distinction by saying there are lots of viruses (flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), rhinovirus, coronavirus, etc.) that cause respiratory infections including ‘colds’ and ‘chest infections’.”
