A research study estimated that under a certain condition, the probability a subject would be referred for heart catheterization was 0.906 for whites and 0.847 for blacks.

a. A press release about the study stated that the odds of referral for cardiac catheterization for blacks are 60% of the odds for whites. Explain how they obtained 60% (more accurately, 57%).

b. AnAssociated Press story that described the study stated “Doctors were only 60% as likely to order cardiac catheterization for blacks as for whites.”

What is wrong with this interpretation? Give the correct percentage for this interpretation. (In stating results to the general public, it is better to use the relative risk than the odds ratio. It is simpler to understand and less likely to be misinterpreted. For details, see New Engl. J. Med., 341:
279–283, 1999.)