Numeracy in Science and Health Journalism

Data and numerical information surround us in our daily lives, and nowhere more so than when it comes to health and science. News reports about these topics have profound effects on our well-being and our sense of place in the world. Yet as this chapter shows, lack of numeracy skills often means such reports are partial, confused or downright incorrect. This chapter examines the ways in which numeracy underpins the ability of news sources, journalists and the public to communicate and engage with health and science reporting, and gives guidance on how to avoid the most glaring errors. The chapter concludes by asking whether Western systems of knowledge are always appropriate for non-Western societies.