Why You Should Be More Skeptical the Next Time You Read a Health News Article by Rina Raphael

Health news is increasingly driven by hype, as journalists often fail to critically assess studies, relying instead on press releases that exaggerate or misrepresent findings. The demand for frequent, attention-grabbing content—especially in wellness reporting—leads to sensationalized headlines, legitimization of pseudoscience, and a lack of scientific nuance, ultimately misleading the public about health risks, treatments, and benefits. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2025/02/why-you-should-be-more-skeptical-the-next-time-you-read-a-health-news-article/ About the Author: Rina Raphael is a journalist who specializes in health, wellness, and misinformation. She is the author of The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care. She has written for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, Fast Company magazine, Bloomberg Businessweek, and New York magazine, among other publications. Her wellness industry newsletter, Well To Do, covers wellness trends and news. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/ Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition is a production of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and the Center for Inquiry.