Commentary & Perspectives

Why One Number Isn’t Enough for Patients

Adding a comparison number may help patients interpret risk and make better decisions.

Share

Ellen Peters, PhD, and Nadine S. Jennings, MD, emphasize the importance of contextualizing numerical risk information in medicine. Presenting figures without comparisons can lead to misunderstandings among patients, as seen in examples involving stroke and breast cancer risks. Their research highlights that providing a reference point—such as average risk—significantly alters patients' interpretation and decisions regarding their health. This approach can improve patient understanding and inform treatment choices effectively.

Original Source(s)

Why One Number Isn’t Enough for Patients

Adding a comparison number may help patients interpret risk and make better decisions.

  • by Kerri Miller

  • March 5, 2026

  • 2 min

Related Content

Telehealth Patterns in Medicare Beneficiaries

One in six Medicare beneficiaries used telehealth between 2021 and 2023, with mental health visits leading the way, states new research report.

Peak Age for Best Olympic Performance

Why 27 may be the magic number for peak athletic performance.

RFK Jr.'s Vision for U.S. Food and Drug System Reform

The FDA's nutrition department has to go: "They're not doing their job. They're not protecting our kids."