Evidence guide
Questions to ask of a food or health claim
Identify the claim, examine the evidence and separate a population average from an individual situation.
Name the claim before judging it
A claim about food prices, access to care, a biological mechanism and a treatment outcome each needs different evidence. Identify which question is actually being answered before carrying a headline into a personal decision.
Examine the people, comparison and outcome
For research involving people, look at who was included, what was compared, how outcomes were measured and how long follow-up lasted. An observed association alone does not establish that one factor caused the other. ClinicalTrials.gov’s study guide ↗ explains common study concepts.
A paper being indexed in PubMed ↗ makes it discoverable; assessing the work still requires reading its design, results and limitations.
Keep supply and price questions measurable
For food and household resilience, specify the product, location, period and unit. A national price index and a particular household’s grocery bill answer different questions. USDA agricultural statistics ↗ is a primary starting point for production and agricultural data.
Use evidence at the right level
This series begins with evidence literacy, costs and access. This entry does not assess a treatment or give individual medical advice. A personal health decision needs evidence relevant to the person and discussion with a qualified clinician.