This example of dumb news is going to go back a long way - back to the 40's but it pretty well embodies what goes on in a lot of statistic-driven pseudo-science all geared towards making money for someone somewhere.
It starts in Finland in 1944
In an effort to curb sleeping deaths with babies and other mysterious causes of death such as S.I.D.S (Sudden Infant Death Syndrone) the Finnish government introduced baby boxes on the populace. It was a box that would prevent babies from rolling over and suffocating and also came with a bunch of stuff such as clothes and other things that are helpful in raising a newborn.
The mortality rates in babies dropped over a number of years... amazing! Thank you government! It took 5 or 6 years for a meaningful percentage drop in these rates but the people were honestly believing that this magic box was the reason why.
They ignored the other, perhaps far more important information: In order to receive this free gift from the government mothers had to get pre-natal care and education before the baby was born in most cases. The level of education and medical care done by professionals went from just over 30% of the population to nearly 90% after the introduction of the "baby box" initiative. So, do you maybe think there might have been other factors at play other than just a cardboard box? Or is this box some sort of magic baby-saver?
These boxes are seeing a revival in the west, namely North America, where they are not free. The manufacturer preys on a nervous mother's susceptibility to statistics without giving all the information. They are also $450... for a cardboard box filled with $100 worth of shite.
When a population goes from having 30% of its population getting medical checkups prior to birth to 80% or more, it is really easy to make the connection that this might be the factor... but you can't sell that, so it is ignored.
However, someone looking at bogus statistics on Amazon and can have a life-saving cardboard box delivered to their front door for near $500, that will save lives..... right?
I can't believe that these companies are allowed to advertise in this fashion but i support their freedom to lie. After all, it is kind of on us to not be idiots, but unfortunately so many people are.