Do you know an example of a wrong association of events that has caused problems?

[amsb]

I need an example of a wrong temporal association that has caused some loss, harm, danger, etc. I'm writing an article and my point is to show how important the temporal relationship between events might be.

Let me give an example to clarify. Imagine a disease that used to be associated with some kind of food, so sick people wouldn't eat this food. Suppose now that
not only was this association wrong, but scientists found out later that the food actually helps to cure the disease. This would be a perfect example. No need to say that the actual answer doesn't need to be related to human health or the kind.

It would be good if I could have references to reliable sources describing the event. Also, I can cite the person who helped me in the article, if he/she would like to.

[radiogaga]

so are you angling at the scaremongering association of an event?
or like cause and effect? or the consequncese of actions??

[doglady]

Do you mena like they used to think smoking was good for you and made you healthier, but now we know it isn't?

[WaldoMcFroog]

Invasion of Iraq on the back of a belief that they had WMD that could be deployed in 45 minutes and which was initially sold to the American people as somehow being related to 9/11 despite the lack of an connection..?

[rojash]

What about the mysterious disease outbreak in children in South America (I think it was last year)?

The initial symptoms were a sore throat and cough, but then the child would suddenly worsen and die. It was first attributed to some new epidemic. Later, of course it was found that the kids were dying through taking cough mixture imported from China and sweetened with anti-freeze.

[heathfield]

There must be multiple examples of loss, harm, danger, brought about by a very recent temporal event, namely the changeover to British Summer Time. Doh! I forgot the clocks changed!

[andrea81]

How about the contoversy over MMR jab?

Because of one (discreadeted) person, many worried and didn't give children their MMR and this has had some effect. i.e, some illnesses on the increase.

You would have to google this as a lot of scaremongering happened over this so I might not be accurate!