I'm reminded of a story my cousin told me some years ago. One day her
child, aged around 2, picked up her father's ashtray. It was full to the
brim with floaty, flyaway ash. The mother, knowing that the child responded
to the word 'hot', but not the word 'dirty', rather unwisely said, "No
Kayleigh, put that down! It's hot!".
Kayleigh looked at her mother, looked down at the ashtray, and, deciding to
cool the offending object down, sucked in a deep breath and blew.
You can imagine the mess.
Giving different advice when there is no change in evidence affects trust.
How long before we are all wondering what other health advice changes have
similar origins?
If pregnant mums are choosing to justify very high levels of alcohol
consumption with 'oh, they make all the advice up anyway', then it is not
inconceivable that the latest move could have the effect of reassuring
these women that they are right.
Ash, ash, everywhere!
Jen
Dr Jennifer Gristock
SPRU, University of Sussex
www.sussex.ac.uk/spru
------------ Forwarded Message ------------
Date: 25 May 2007 13:20 +0000
From: barbara keating <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Alcohol and Pregnancy
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6687761.stm
"The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says there is no
evidence that a couple of units once or twice a week will do any harm to
the baby. The Department of Health said the revision was not based on new
scientific evidence but was needed to help ensure that women did not
underestimate the risks to their baby."
>
>
> Sallie Robins <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I must admit I haven't read deeply into this issue but what does it say
> about scientific evidence if you change advice to the public when there
> has been no change in the scientific evidence?
>
> Sallie Robins - publicist Cheltenham Science Festival and NESTA FameLab
> srPR
> 14 Shannon Court
> Dynevor Road
> London
> N16 0DD
> 020 7249 4858
> 07733 330344
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Cheltenham Science Festival 6-10 June 2007
> www.cheltenhamfestivals.com
> NESTA FameLab. First open audition 6 March London
> www.famelab.org
>
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