How Do Long Latency Periods Affect Epidemiological Studies?
Long latency periods introduce several complexities into epidemiological research. These include:
Recall Bias: Individuals may not accurately remember past exposures, leading to data inaccuracies. Confounding Factors: Over long periods, multiple exposures and lifestyle changes can occur, complicating the isolation of a single causative factor. Longitudinal Studies: These require extensive time and resources to follow individuals over many years, increasing the cost and complexity of research.
