Epidemiological studies often collect detailed information on individuals, including their health status, demographics, and sometimes even genetic data. While this information is invaluable for public health research, it also poses significant privacy risks. Data suppression helps mitigate these risks by removing or masking data that could potentially be used to identify individuals. This practice is essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
