StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Health News Analysis - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
This essay "Health News Analysis" discusses Stobbe's health news report that is "we will see." This conclusion is appropriate. Stobbe has provided enough in the way of background information and questions yet to be answered to warrant this assessment…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER92.6% of users find it useful
Health News Analysis
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Health News Analysis"

Health News Analysis, An Example HERE] OR A recent Associated Press health news report discusses a new study of a vaccine that already prevents cervical cancer in women. It is called Gardasil, and it has now proven successful in preventing genital warts in men. Here the news report is summarized and is assessed as concluding appropriately. The research study itself is sketched sufficiently to conclude that it relies on standard research design and statistical methods, but there is not enough detail to identify these methods or assess the appropriateness of the study's findings. Health News Analysis, An Example Mike Stobbe (2008), in an Associated Press news report printed in the online version of the Charlotte Observer, discusses a new study of a vaccine that already prevents cervical cancer in women. Gardasil has also proven successful in preventing genital warts in men. The vaccine "targets the two types of HPV, or human papillomavirus, believed to be responsible for about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, and two other types that cause most genital warts." Stobbe reports that the study involved "about 4,000 males ages 16 to 26 in nearly 20 countries. Results showed the vaccine was 90 percent effective in preventing genital warts." Stobbe also notes that research on Gardasil is continuing, but that to date there is no evidence it prevents "penile cancer or other HPV-associated cancers in men. There also is no evidence it prevents men from spreading HPV to women." Right now, Gardasil as it may be used in the U.S. for males appears to prevent an unwanted but benign condition. Stobbe's report is informative in the style of news reporting. The reader can get additional details once the main points have been covered at the beginning. Following the V structure for news writing allows for a "stay-tuned" kind of conclusion. Stobbe quotes an HPV expert at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as saying that policy makers, presumably the ones charged with passing judgment on Gardasil's availability to males in the United States, "will be looking at a variety of issues." In spite of the limitations of news reporting and any subtexts one can glean from the article, Stobbe carefully sketches what has and has not happened yet in Gardasil's use and scrutiny for extended uses. Among the research subjects for the study, a group was given a fake vaccine; and in ninety percent of the vaccinated subjects, Gardasil prevented genital warts. From this we can determine that the "new study" was of the experimental, empirical design type and blind, or double-blind, standard for drug companies doing clinical trials. In addition, quantitative analysis of factors such as three administrations of the drug to 4,000 participants over six months in twenty countries with examinations at various points to determine effectiveness, and so forth, clearly point to a clinical trial and the classic drug company research design. Without having the specific procedures of the design, however, or the study itself, it is difficult to tell which statistical methods would have been applied other than standard ones for this kind of study. Randomization of the test population, careful data collection from experimental and control groups, pre- and post-assessment for evidence of the target disease would all need standardization over a specific time with subsequent proper analysis and summary. The difficulty in identifying which statistical methods increases given the rigor needed to conduct a double-blind study the size of this one. The study's population and the different countries and therefore different languages involved seem daunting. It is likely that the study design and statistical procedures would have had to account for errors and inaccuracies. However, an international drug company such as Merck might well have been able to carry out such a detailed and comprehensive study. It would seem so, for Stobbe reports that experts have found the reported results promising. Presumably they would be able to pass this preliminary judgment based on the study or Merck's reputation, or (Well, we need not surmise further.) The above is clearly about the study itself; however, the rest of Stobbe's news report suggests other data sources and statistical procedures. For example, several assertions in the news report suggest a simple-counts methodology was used to set the Gardasil study in context. Stobbe notes that "HPV causes at least 20,000 cases of cancer in the U.S. each year," and "about 40 other countries have approved the vaccine for males." How these numbers were derived cannot be determined by the information given, but how many countries have already approved the vaccine is a simple show of hands. Stobbe's statement of "at least 20,000 cases of cancer" is a conservative one based on other studies and data not specified, but not difficult at least to find. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would have or have access to these. Merck would also have considered these in their development of Gardasil or other drugs. A noteworthy event that happened prior to this news article's appearance is that experts have weighed in on HPV's role in causing cervical cancer. It appears that women who have HPV is positively associated with the likelihood of their getting cervical cancer. Although again the precise measures that were used to weigh in on the side of "causes" of cervical cancer are not given, we can assume a role for inferential statistics, or perhaps meta-analyses of relevant cervical cancer studies. Finally with regard to the Gardasil study, it relies upon other quantitative studies. For example, here is a likely research question the Merck study had to answer with statistical evidence: At what age should males be vaccinated with the drug In answering this question, Merck and its research staff, or contractor, had to address: Given the formula for Gardasil, at what age or above is it safe to administer The finding of the Gardasil study as reported by Stobbe is that "the vaccine was 90 percent effective in preventing genital warts, with only 15 cases of persistent infection in the vaccinated group, compared to 101 cases in a group that was given a fake vaccine." It is not possible to assess whether the finding is appropriate. Not enough of the study is given to see how Merck and researchers got from A to B to C. As suggested above, the study was large and complex, and thus challenges to producing quality research would have been great, but not insurmountable. Lack of information or, better, access to the study itself would be most useful in determining whether the finding of the study is appropriate. The conclusion of Stobbe's health news report is "we will see." This conclusion is appropriate. Stobbe has provided enough in the way of background information and questions yet to be answered to warrant this assessment. The take-up rate for girls and women in the U.S. for the vaccine (one in four) sounds a cautionary note for the commercial success of the product for males, especially if the warts are benign. In addition, "the vaccine's effect on precancerous lesions," when and if that is established as in the desired direction, might be sufficient reason not only for Merck to push forward its commercial interests in Gardasil, but also for experts and medical professionals to support approval of the drug for males--in the interest of public health. Reference Stobbe, M. (2008, November 13). Study: HPV vaccine prevents genital warts in males. Charlotte Observer. Retrieved November 22, 2008 from http://www.charlotteobserver.com/nation/story/337661.html Read More
Tags
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Health News Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1509757-health-news-analysis
(Health News Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 Words)
https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1509757-health-news-analysis.
“Health News Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1509757-health-news-analysis.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Health News Analysis

Critical Analysis and Research Design

Name Instructor Class Critical analysis and Research Design Part 1: Critical analysis The Linn article discusses the fact that August is a month when not much is accomplished in many offices.... The article effectively analyzes considerable marketing-oriented research in this area and provides analysis about such efforts as the Truth campaign to stop teens from smoking.... A great deal of ink is being used to write about the proper way to keep these sorts of tragedies from happening, and there is good news and bad news, at least according to the article....
4 Pages (1000 words) Assignment

Health Education

Given that definition it becomes much easier to approach the analysis of the three women presented in the case study provided.... This paper will spaeks what health education means.... Meaning that people think looking “good” is the same as having “good health and that is not necessarily true.... … According to the paper exercise has very important benefits to offer and can affect people's health in many positive ways, which include, weight control, combating negative health conditions, improved sleep, increased sex drive, boosts energy, and improves your mood....
5 Pages (1250 words) Case Study

Discourse and Narrative Issues of News Analysis

RUNNING HEAD: news analysis news analysis Student's ID Date Discourse and narrative analysis are the fundamental techniques of critically analyzing the story presented in television and print media.... Discourse analysis helps in understanding how language provides meaning to a certain discussion or debate.... With the help of this conception, several themes emerge during discourse analysis.... For the purpose of understanding discourse and its types, a rigorous narrative analysis of news stories retrieved from the newspaper The Globe and Mail and CBC Network's broadcast are used....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the Print News Media

news articles published in the nationally-circulated newspapers that tackle the issue of STDs will be analyzed to determine the ways in which the issue is presented and discussed.... In the first section, past studies will be discussed to determine the scope and intensity of coverage that the print news media devote to the subject of STD.... Also, news articles from the nationally circulated newspapers mentioned above will be analyzed to ascertain whether STD is given the ample and substantive news reporting that it deserves....
11 Pages (2750 words) Research Paper

ANALYSIS OF HEALTH NEEDS

Many factions and institutions are involved, all of whom endeavor to achieve the same aim: provision of better health care facilities for the aging.... “The Older Americans Act focuses on improving the lives of older people in areas of income, housing, health, employment, retirement and community services” (Older Americans Act).... AoA is a sublet of the United States Department of health and Human Services, which is governed by the Assistant Secretary for Aging....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

The Role of Diabetes and Smoking in Heart Attacks and Strokes

he next part of the discussion presents a thorough analysis of seven uses of epidemiology and how it can be related to the rise of diabetes amongst the people of the US.... It needs to be mentioned that the analysis is based on the article published in Los Angeles Times and understanding has been presented in a critical manner.... The discussion aims at highlighting the role of diabetes and smoking in heart attacks and strokes Running Head: health sciences and medicines news Paper of the of the of the Epidemiology is the branch of medical science dealing with the transmission and control of diseases....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Infectious Diseases in the News

This is a report of the contents of the article and analysis of its relevance to MBI 111 Course. Gautam, Infectious Diseases in the News In the news article “Antibiotic resistance genes found in gut microbes of healthy kids,” the Washington University School of Medicine reports the presence of friendly microbes in the guts of healthy children, which have many resistance genes against antibiotics.... This is a report of the contents of the article and analysis of its relevance to MBI 111 Course....
2 Pages (500 words) Book Report/Review

An analysis of a news article (health economics)

om/news/international/21647651-some-expectant-mothers-struggle-quit-smoking-what-can-help-huffing-and-puffing?... But many Smoking in Pregnancy: Huffing and Puffing An Article Review Teacher 31st May We all know that smoking is injurious to health but it is more injurious for pregnant women.... But many mothers lie about their smoking habits during pregnancy due to domestic issues, stress, mental and other health problems.... Some doctors allow the use of a few cigarettes a day upon the request of the patient which may harm the health of the baby....
1 Pages (250 words) Book Report/Review
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us