Report Outline
Special Focus
Introduction
The cholesterol controversy has brought to the surface an ongoing debate within the scientific community over how to judge conflicting scientific evidence in drawing up recommendations for medical treatment. It has raised serious questions about the way expert panels develop consensus opinions, about how those opinions are translated into advice to patients, and about government's role in public-health campaigns.
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Overview
Responding to scientific reports linking cholesterol to heart disease, many Americans have changed their eating habits, markedly reducing their consumption of red meat, whole milk, eggs and other foods high in fat and cholesterol. But most of these Americans are unaware of the sharp differences of opinion in the medical and scientific communities over whether lowering blood cholesterol levels will actually save lives by reducing the incidence of coronary artery disease.
In fact, the cholesterol controversy has been going strong for years. Passions run high on both sides, and the opposing factions have been fighting it out at medical conferences and congressional hearings and in the pages of scientific journals. The controversy didn't break into the public's consciousness until last fall, when The Atlantic published an in-depth article by investigative reporter Thomas J. Moore attacking “the cholesterol myth.” Moore argued that diet has little effect on an individual's cholesterol level; that the drugs that can lower it can have serious or fatal side effects; and that there is little evidence to support the theory that lowering cholesterol will lengthen one's life. |
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Jul. 07, 2017 |
Hunger in America |
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Oct. 30, 2015 |
Dietary Supplements |
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Aug. 08, 2014 |
Global Hunger |
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Oct. 01, 2010 |
Preventing Obesity |
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Apr. 07, 2006 |
Rising Health Costs |
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Feb. 10, 2006 |
Eating Disorders  |
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Sep. 03, 2004 |
Dietary Supplements |
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Jan. 31, 2003 |
Obesity Epidemic |
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Feb. 23, 2001 |
Diet and Health |
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Jan. 15, 1999 |
Obesity and Health |
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Sep. 26, 1997 |
Youth Fitness |
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Apr. 14, 1995 |
Dieting and Health |
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Jul. 08, 1994 |
Dietary Supplements |
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Dec. 18, 1992 |
Eating Disorders |
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Nov. 06, 1992 |
Physical Fitness |
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Jul. 31, 1992 |
Infant Mortality |
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Oct. 25, 1991 |
World Hunger |
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Mar. 16, 1990 |
Public-Health Campaigns: Do They Go Too Far? |
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Apr. 29, 1988 |
How America Eats |
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Sep. 06, 1985 |
Anorexia and Other Eating Disorders |
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May 18, 1984 |
Dining in America |
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Aug. 26, 1983 |
Staying Healthy |
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Nov. 19, 1982 |
Weight Control: A National Obsession |
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Oct. 17, 1980 |
Caffeine Controversy |
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Apr. 14, 1978 |
Physical Fitness Boom |
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Jun. 17, 1977 |
Obesity and Health |
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Feb. 22, 1974 |
Heart Research |
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Aug. 01, 1973 |
Nutrition in America |
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Dec. 02, 1970 |
Infant Health |
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Nov. 15, 1967 |
Overweight and Health |
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Aug. 10, 1966 |
Dental Health |
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Jul. 13, 1966 |
Prolongation of Life |
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May 09, 1962 |
Outdoor Recreation |
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Nov. 26, 1958 |
Dieting and Health |
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Jul. 13, 1949 |
Recreation for Millions |
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May 13, 1941 |
Nutrition and National Health |
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