How Do Epidemiologists Study Distribution and Determinants?
Epidemiologists employ various study designs to investigate health-related states and their determinants:
Descriptive Studies These studies focus on describing the distribution of health events by analyzing data on the affected populations, locations, and time periods. They often involve case reports, case series, and cross-sectional studies.
Analytical Studies These studies aim to identify and quantify the determinants of health events. They include case-control studies, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials, which help establish causal relationships.
Experimental Studies These involve the manipulation of variables to assess the effects of interventions on health outcomes, providing high-quality evidence for causal inference.
