Podcasts are no longer niche; they’re getting big. According to data from Statista, approximately 160 million Americans listen to podcasts at least once a month. There are podcasts that cover seemingly every topic under the sun, including women’s health.
The trouble with podcasts, videos, blogs and other online content is that there is sometimes a lack of research included to back up claims. This is especially important in the areas of health. A recent National Public Radio (NPR) article dissected five common misconceptions that are floating around online regarding women’s health.
One of the most worrying myths that the NPR article busts is around heart health. For women in America, heart disease is still the number one killer. Therefore, trending online content saying that women can eschew cardio in favor of strength training and/or that heart disease is more of a “male problem” can be especially dangerous. In fact, women—and all humans—need both cardiovascular, strength and flexibility movement in their lives.
While podcasts, blogs, websites and videos can provide valuable information, looking at the research behind the claims is always important. Individuals who are excited about new ideas learned via online content may first want to ask their medical health providers for scientifically-backed information before making big changes.
