Finding the facts: How to avoid pseudoscience in health information

By Evan Dawson,

Published February 23, 2026 at 3:44 PM EST

Three people wearing headphones sit at a table in a radio talk studio: a woman at left has short grey hair and is wearing glasses, a white turtleneck and beige short-sleeved sweater; a woman at center has chin-length grey hair and is wearing glasses, a grey cardigan sweater and black shirt; a man at right has very short grey hair and is wearing glasses, a grey plaid blazer and black button-down shirt.

1 of 2 — Christina Thompson and Rae-Ellen Kavey with host Evan Dawson on "Connections"

Christina Thompson and Rae-Ellen Kavey with host Evan Dawson on "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Monday, February 23, 2026

Mari Tsuchiya / WXXI News

A man with grey hair and a grey beard sits with his chin propped on his hand while wearing glasses and a grey sweater.

2 of 2 — Gary Schwitzer

Gary Schwitzer

Provided

You've likely seen health care-related headlines that confused you, raised questions, or even alarmed you. What happens when this kind of clickbait informs medical decisions?

Our guests this hour are focused on media literacy in medicine. They help us understand how to spot pseudoscience and health care misinformation, and how to identify credible sources and the facts.

Our guests:

Gary Schwitzer, health care journalist for 50 years and adjunct associate professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Christina Thompson, executive director of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester
Rae-Ellen Kavey, M.D., retired pediatric cardiologist and volunteer at the
Rochester Academy of Medicine

To learn more about the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester's event, "Spotting Pseudo-Science in Healthcare Headlines with Gary Schwitzer," click here.

To learn more about the Rochester Academy of Medicine's event, "Supporting Strong Teeth: The Science of Fluoride in Cavity Prevention," click here.