Medical statistics: Signs of the times Medical statistics: Signs of the times

Economist: Medical statistics: Signs of the times points out that not all medical studies are equal in their validity. It is one thing to do a double blind study testing one hypothesis. But when researchers try to dig results out of multiple variables, they often violate basic statistics. The author gives the example that:

PEOPLE born under the astrological sign of Leo are 15% more likely to be admitted to hospital with gastric bleeding than those born under the other 11 signs. Sagittarians are 38% more likely than others to land up there because of a broken arm.

All because this sort of statistics is being misused.