Casting doubt on evidence: manipulating research evidence related to NCD causes, prevention and management

Mark Petticrew; Alice Fabbri; Tess Legg; May C.I. van Schalkwyk

Casting doubt on evidence: manipulating research evidence related to NCD causes, prevention and management

Mark Petticrew, Alice Fabbri, Tess Legg, May C.I. van Schalkwyk

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Other chapter contribution

Abstract

This chapter investigates the use of scientific practices by commercial actors, highlighting the systemic problem of disinformation and misinformation related to NCD prevention and management. It describes five key strategies used by commercial actors, particularly in health-harming industries (HHIs), to influence scientific research and public understanding of health issues and to favour their commercial interests, such as funding industry-favourable research, spreading misinformation, and undermining public health guidelines. The chapter provides examples of how the industry influences the interpretation of evidence, and how indus try-funded youth education programmes distort evidence in the United Kingdom. It then emphasizes the need for robust measures to counteract these manipulative practices, prevent conflict of interest, ensure transparency, and promote independent, evidence-based knowledge in the field of NCD prevention and management.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Commercial Determinants of Noncommunicable Diseases in the WHO European Region
Publisher	World Health Organization
Chapter	6
Pages	58-68
Number of pages	10
ISBN (Electronic)	9789289061162
ISBN (Print)	9789289061179
Publication status	Published - 1 Jun 2024

Acknowledgements

The Special Initiative on NCDs and Innovation (SNI) of the WHO Regional Office for Europe wishes to thank, first of all, the Member States of the WHO European Region which made this report possible through their support (including financial support), leadership and commitment. We are very grateful for Member States reviewing the report. Gratitude is further extended to Sumudu Kasturiarachchi, Kathrin Hetz and Kremlin Wickramasinghe (SNI, WHO Regional Office for Europe) for coordination, technical support, drafting, reviewing and finalizing of the report. Eric Carlin, Angela Ciobanu, Marilys Corbex, Carina Ferreira-Borges, Jill Farrington, María Lasierra Losada, Elizaveta Lebedeva, Maria Neufeld, Catherine Paradis, Ivo Rakovac, Elena Tsoy, and Julianne Williams (SNI, WHO Regional Office for Europe) made invaluable technical contributions to and reviewed the report.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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Casting doubt on evidence: manipulating research evidence related to NCD causes, prevention and management. / Petticrew, Mark; Fabbri, Alice; Legg, Tess et al.
Commercial Determinants of Noncommunicable Diseases in the WHO European Region. World Health Organization, 2024. p. 58-68.

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Other chapter contribution

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AU - Legg, Tess

AU - van Schalkwyk, May C.I.

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N2 - This chapter investigates the use of scientific practices by commercial actors, highlighting the systemic problem of disinformation and misinformation related to NCD prevention and management. It describes five key strategies used by commercial actors, particularly in health-harming industries (HHIs), to influence scientific research and public understanding of health issues and to favour their commercial interests, such as funding industry-favourable research, spreading misinformation, and undermining public health guidelines. The chapter provides examples of how the industry influences the interpretation of evidence, and how indus try-funded youth education programmes distort evidence in the United Kingdom. It then emphasizes the need for robust measures to counteract these manipulative practices, prevent conflict of interest, ensure transparency, and promote independent, evidence-based knowledge in the field of NCD prevention and management.

AB - This chapter investigates the use of scientific practices by commercial actors, highlighting the systemic problem of disinformation and misinformation related to NCD prevention and management. It describes five key strategies used by commercial actors, particularly in health-harming industries (HHIs), to influence scientific research and public understanding of health issues and to favour their commercial interests, such as funding industry-favourable research, spreading misinformation, and undermining public health guidelines. The chapter provides examples of how the industry influences the interpretation of evidence, and how indus try-funded youth education programmes distort evidence in the United Kingdom. It then emphasizes the need for robust measures to counteract these manipulative practices, prevent conflict of interest, ensure transparency, and promote independent, evidence-based knowledge in the field of NCD prevention and management.

M3 - Other chapter contribution

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BT - Commercial Determinants of Noncommunicable Diseases in the WHO European Region

PB - World Health Organization

ER -

Casting doubt on evidence: manipulating research evidence related to NCD causes, prevention and management

Abstract

Acknowledgements

UN SDGs

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