Welcome

Welcome to the January 2021 Cochrane Consumer community news digest. As we write this, we are aware of the impact that Coronavirus (COVID-19) is having across the world. On behalf of our colleagues at Cochrane we would like to send our best wishes to you, your family and friends in these difficult times.

In this digest we have put together some information about the evidence related to COVID-19 and how Cochrane is responding and have also included links to information about how to make sense of research and tackle the spread of misinformation. Many of the resources posted below are being continually updated. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Cochrane resources and news

This page (updated daily) highlights content relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the various related activities that Cochrane is undertaking in response.

Cochrane COVID-19 podcasts

Each Cochrane podcast offers a short summary of a recent Cochrane COVID-19 review from the authors themselves. They allow everyone from healthcare professionals to patients and families to hear the latest Cochrane evidence in under five minutes. Find out more here. 

Cochrane statement to the 148th WHO Executive Board meeting on strengthening global emergency preparedness

Cochrane's statement highlights the ongoing contributions of the Cochrane community to the international COVID-19 response, and pledges support for WHO’s efforts in preparing for future health emergencies. Read more here. 

Cochrane Ireland vs COVID-19: iHealthFacts.ie ‘fact checking’ claims in a pandemic

iHealthFacts enables members of the public to check the current evidence for COVID-19 and other health claims. Find out more about iHealthFacts and the collaborative efforts of Cochrane Ireland and Evidence Synthesis Ireland in this short case study. 

Information from the World Health Organization regarding misinformation

We are all being exposed to a huge amount of COVID-19 information on a daily basis, and not all of it is reliable. Here are 7 tips for telling the difference and stopping the spread of misinformation. 

Other news

Cochrane expands its reach with the launch of a new Network across China

Cochrane announces the official launch of a new network of institutions committed to promote evidence-based health care practice and policy decision making in China. Find out more here. 

Help Cochrane improve the way we share evidence

The past year has shown how important good quality evidence is. We create short simple summaries of our reviews called Plain Language Summaries. These summaries are meant to be accessible by people around the world, so they can use them to make health care decisions. We would like your opinion on how to make these summaries easier to understand. Find out more here.  

Eight ways to quit smoking in 2021: video talks through the Cochrane evidence

Stopping smoking brings enormous health benefits, but can be very challenging. In this talk, Cochrane author and editor Dr Jamie Hartmann-Boyce talks through Cochrane evidence on the best and most common ways to quit smoking. Read more here. 

Behavioural Activation Therapy for depression: what’s the evidence?

In this blog for people with depression and their mental health practitioners, Emily Sanger, a Junior Doctor in York, looks at the latest Cochrane evidence from two reviews on Behavioural Activation Therapy and explores how well it works for depression in adults, with and without long-term physical conditions. 

Reducing saturated fat intake: is it worth the effort?

Robert Walton, a Cochrane UK Senior Fellow in General Practice, blogs about the Cochrane evidence on reducing saturated fat in our diets to help prevent cardiovascular disease. Read more here.