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Most of the studies looking at the links between PFAS direct exposure and human health risks are released without a news release and get little or no media coverage, according to a new study. The researchers said this risks the info not reaching the public and called for organizations and researchers to work much better on media outreach.
” Its an embarassment that just a small piece of this science is reaching the public,” Rebecca Fuoco, study author, said in a declaration. “New research studies discovering strong associations between forever chemicals and major harms like preterm birth and cancer are flying under the radar. Research study tucked away in clinical journals has restricted reach.”
PFAS, a group of artificial chemicals, are usually called forever chemicals because they stay in the environment and the body for decades. They are everywhere, from food to consumer products. While researchers are working to better comprehend PFAS impacts, theres a big possibility we wont ever hear about their research study findings.
Minimal media attention
However, less than 8% of the documents with a statistically significant finding released a press release, the researchers said. The documents that didnt include a press release discovered significant links between PFAS direct exposure and risks of ovarian and breast cancers, osteoporosis and diabetes. They got no or very little news protection.
The research study was published in the journal Environmental Health.
The researchers examined 273 peer-reviewed epidemiological research studies on the human health effects of PFAS, released between 2018 and 2020. Amongst the papers that discovered a statistically significant link in between PFAS and health risks, those with a press release got 20 times more media attention (examined by Altmetric scores) than those that didnt.
” Its a shame that just a small piece of this science is reaching the public,” Rebecca Fuoco, research study author, said in a statement. “New research studies finding strong associations in between permanently chemicals and severe harms like preterm birth and cancer are flying under the radar.” I urge researchers and their institutions to welcome media outreach as a crucial part of the research study process,” Linda Birnbaum, study author, said. Overall, the study highlights the significance of successfully communicating clinical findings to the public and the media.
One of the reasons research groups might choose not to issue a press release is the understanding that there is insufficient profession incentive to engage in non-scholarly communications, the researchers said. Nevertheless, the study revealed that papers with a press release had a two-thirds greater citation count than those without news release.
Overall, the study highlights the significance of efficiently communicating clinical findings to the general public and the media. News release can improve the presence and effect of research study, leading to recognition within the clinical neighborhood and beyond. Getting rid of barriers might require changes in scholastic culture, the researchers stated.
While researchers are working to better understand PFAS effects, theres a huge chance we will not ever hear about their study findings.
Another factor is the fear amongst scientists that media coverage may misrepresent or exaggerate their research. Previous research has actually shown that overstatements in the media can typically be traced back to university press releases. This recommends that scientists can overcome this concern by taking a more active role in preparing the release.
” I prompt scientists and their institutions to accept media outreach as a crucial part of the research study process,” Linda Birnbaum, research study author, stated. “As scientists we hold the key to information that can inform better policies, medical practices, market innovation, and more. Its our obligation to open that prospective by sharing our research study with a broad audience.”
