The meaning of 6.8: Numeracy and normality in health information talks

Social Science and Medicine

Volumn 43, Issue 8, 1996, Pages 1179-1187

  Adelswärd, Viveka ^a   Sachs, Lisbeth ^b  

^a LINKÖPING UNIVERSITY   (Sweden)

^b KAROLINSKA INSTITUTE   (Sweden)

Author keywords

Health information; Mathematical terms; Normality; Risk

Indexed keywords

CHOLESTEROL;

ARTICLE; CHOLESTEROL BLOOD LEVEL; HEALTH CARE PERSONNEL; HEALTH STATUS; HEALTH SURVEY; HUMAN; NURSE PATIENT RELATIONSHIP; RISK ASSESSMENT;

EID: 0030271277     PISSN: 02779536     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/0277-9536(95)00366-5     Document Type: Article

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26. 26. We are fully aware of the extensive discussion in medical journals regarding cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. We are also aware of the controversy over the strategy for reducing risk factors and the effects of such efforts. Our aim here is not to engage in this discussion but to give one case of how numbers are interpreted and communicated in health information directed to persons perceived to be at risk for heart disease.
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