Every day we make decisions about our health - some big and some small. What we eat, how we live and even where we live can affect our health. But how can we be sure that the advice we are given about these important matters is right for us? Many treatments and tests - both mainstream and alternative - are not supported by good evidence and some widely used treatments are actually harmful.Whether you are considering having surgery or taking vitamin supplements, you need to know the effectiveness of the options and their side-effects. This fully revised and updated new edition of Smart Health Choices will provide you with the tools for assessing health advice, whether it comes from a specialist, general practitioner, naturopath, the media, the Internet, or a friend. It shows you how to take an active role in your health care, and to make the best decisions for you and your loved ones based on personal preferences and the best available evidence. Contents 1 Smart health choice essentials 2. Be sceptical 3. Bad evidence 4. Don't always rely on the experts 5. Choosing a practitioner 6. Media and the internet 7. An education in shopping 8. The weakness of one 9. The power of many 10. Judging which tests and treatments really work 11. What makes you sick? 12. Finding the best evidence 13. Doing your bit 14. How to apply the evidence to you and your situation 15. Is this a useful diagnostic test? 16. Decision thresholds 17. Relative risk, relative and absolute risk reduction, number needed to treat, and confidence intervals 18. Testing your skill