Determining causality in epidemiology often relies on a set of criteria known as the Bradford Hill criteria. These criteria include:
Strength of Association: How strong is the relationship between the exposure and the outcome? Consistency: Have similar results been observed in different populations and settings? Specificity: Is the association specific to a particular disease? Temporality: Does the exposure precede the outcome? Biological Gradient: Is there a dose-response relationship? Plausibility: Is there a biological mechanism that explains the association? Coherence: Are the findings consistent with existing knowledge? Experiment: Have experimental studies confirmed the association? Analogy: Are there similar associations with other exposures and outcomes?
