Blog article
Could this health claim be misleading? Here's how to tell
A familiar scenario
A TikTok creator says a supplement transformed their energy levels, or that ‘doctors don’t want you to know about this research’, or that this common food is ‘toxic’. With thousands of health claims competing for your attention every day, it can be hard to know what's trustworthy and what's not.
The good news is you don't need a medical degree to spot potential misinformation. Dr Andy is here to help us simplify how exactly research works, because there is hopeful and then there is harmful, and we want to make sure you know what to trust.
Understanding research claims: A trust ladder
Generally, when it comes to trusting research, the better the study design, the more confidence you can have that the findings are reliable, especially when enough participants are included and multiple studies reach similar conclusions. Because when it comes to your health, evidence-based research is what we should all be seeking out.
We’ve turned to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) evidence framework to put together this trust ladder and also made sure it has the Dr Andy thumbs up too. Health recommendations from organisations such as the NHMRC, RACGP and disease-specific clinical guideline groups are typically based on a review of the broader body of evidence (rather than a single study).
“For questions about whether a treatment or preventive intervention works, the ladder is a useful guide. It’s important to keep in mind that other questions, such as how accurate a test is, what causes a condition or how patients experience care, may require different types of research”, explains Dr Andy.
| Evidence level | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Systematic reviews and meta-analyses | Researchers look for all the studies that have examined the same question, assess how reliable they are, and then look at the findings together. If the studies are similar enough, they may also combine the results to get a clearer overall picture. | A good review brings together all the relevant research on a topic to provide the clearest picture of what the evidence shows. It’s only as reliable as the quality of the studies it includes. |
| Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) | Participants are randomly assigned to receive a treatment or comparison. | Randomisation helps make the groups comparable and provides stronger evidence that differences in outcomes were caused by the treatment rather than other factors. |
| Cohort studies | Researchers follow groups of people over time to see what happens. | Useful for identifying links between behaviours and health outcomes. |
| Case-control studies | Researchers compare people with a condition to people without it and look for differences. | Helpful for studying rare diseases but can't prove cause and effect. |
| Case reports and expert opinion | Observations from individual or small numbers of patients or professional expertise. | Can generate ideas for future research but generally unable on their own to show whether a treatment caused an outcome. |
Study type is only the starting point
A poorly conducted clinical trial may be less trustworthy than a well-conducted observational study. Researchers also consider whether the methods were appropriate, important outcomes were measured, participants were representative, results were reported completely and other researchers have found similar results.
What about human trials?
Human studies usually provide more meaningful health information than laboratory or animal studies. While you might equate ‘research’ with ‘human trials,’ there are several stages before and after those trials’ worth noting so when you see them listed, you know the stage the study is at (and potentially how far it has to go):
- Laboratory studies: Researchers test ideas in cells, tissues or laboratories. This is helpful for early discoveries but doesn’t tell you whether the results will happen in people.
- Animal studies: As it sounds, animal studies can be an important early stage of some research, but findings in animals do not necessarily translate to people.
- Human clinical trials: Researchers study an intervention in people. Depending on the stage and design of the trial, researchers may investigate its safety, appropriate dose, biological effects, benefits or harms. A single human trial rarely provides the final answer.
- Systematic reviews: Researchers gather all relevant studies on a topic and assess them collectively. This reduces the risk of relying on a single study as well as giving the clearest picture of what the overall evidence shows. One study rarely changes medical advice overnight; stronger conclusions usually emerge when multiple well-conducted studies produce broadly consistent findings.
NHMRC guidance states that clinical practice recommendations should be informed by well-conducted systematic reviews wherever possible, and Dr Andy adds, “The most trustworthy health advice is usually built on a body of evidence, not a single study.”
No. One study can provide useful evidence, but stronger conclusions usually come from multiple high-quality studies that reach similar findings.
FAQs about health research
Can one study prove something works?
No. One study can provide useful evidence, but stronger conclusions usually come from multiple high-quality studies that reach similar findings.
What is the strongest type of health evidence?
For treatment questions, systematic reviews and meta-analyses are generally considered the most reliable forms of evidence because they assess findings across many studies.
What does peer reviewed mean?
Before many research papers are published, independent experts in the same field review the study's methods, results and conclusions. This process doesn't guarantee the study is correct, but it helps identify errors, weaknesses and unsupported claims.
Why do experts sometimes disagree?
Research evolves over time. Experts may interpret evidence differently, particularly when evidence is limited or emerging
Private health insurance term cheat sheet
Health savvy tip: Don't judge a health claim by a headline.
Ask:
- where the evidence comes from
- was tested in people and do those people represent me
- was it peer reviewed
- were there any conflicts of interest
- how it was funded, and
- whether multiple high-quality studies have reached the same conclusion.
If you can't answer these questions, it's worth doing more research or speaking to your GP.
Remember: Exciting early results don't always tell the whole story, so it's worth looking for evidence from multiple studies.
This article contains general information only and does not take into account the health, personal situation or needs of any person. In conjunction with your GP or treating health care professional, please consider whether the information is suitable for you and your personal circumstances.
