Why is the Kaplan-Meier Method Important in Epidemiology?
The Kaplan-Meier method is crucial in epidemiology for several reasons:
1. Handling Censored Data: It effectively manages censored data, providing reliable survival estimates even when not all subjects have experienced the event. 2. Comparative Analysis: It allows for the comparison of survival curves between different groups, such as treatment versus control groups. 3. Visualization: The Kaplan-Meier curve, a step function graph, visually represents survival probabilities over time, making it easier to interpret survival data.
