Measures Of Association

Measures of association is used in analytical epidemiology to identify the connection of being exposure and disease outcome. Included in the measures are relative risk, absolute risk reduction, attributable risk, and odds ratio. In your judgement, what are the relevancy/principles do these measures add to public health decision makers? Select one measure of association, and use it as an example. Your write-up should be at least 250 words with in-text citations and references

find the cost of your paper

Sample Answer

 

 

 

Measures of association are crucial tools in analytical epidemiology, used to quantify the relationship between an exposure and a disease outcome. They provide valuable insights that inform public health decision-making.

Relative Risk (RR) is one of the most commonly used measures of association. It quantifies the likelihood of an outcome (disease) among exposed individuals compared to non-exposed individuals. An RR greater than 1 suggests that exposure is associated with an increased risk of the disease, while an RR less than 1 indicates a decreased risk. For instance, if a study finds that the RR for lung cancer among smokers compared to non-smokers is 2, it means that smokers are twice as likely to develop lung cancer.

Full Answer Section

 

 

 

Absolute Risk Reduction (ARR) measures the difference in the incidence of a disease between the exposed and non-exposed groups. It provides a direct estimate of the reduction in the risk of disease attributable to the exposure. A higher ARR indicates a more substantial public health impact. For example, if a vaccine reduces the incidence of a disease from 10% in the placebo group to 5% in the vaccinated group, the ARR is 5%.

Attributable Risk (AR) estimates the proportion of disease cases in the exposed group that can be attributed to the exposure. It provides a measure of the preventable burden of disease associated with the exposure. A higher AR suggests a greater public health need for intervention.

Odds Ratio (OR) is another commonly used measure, particularly in case-control studies. It represents the odds of exposure among cases compared to controls. While not a direct measure of risk, the OR can be a useful approximation of the RR in certain circumstances.

These measures provide valuable information for public health decision-makers by:

  • Identifying risk factors: Identifying exposures associated with increased disease risk allows for targeted interventions to reduce the burden of disease.
  • Assessing the magnitude of risk: Quantifying the strength of the association between exposure and disease helps prioritize interventions based on the severity of the risk.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions: Measuring the impact of interventions on disease outcomes provides evidence for their effectiveness and informs future public health strategies.
  • Informing policy decisions: These measures can be used to develop evidence-based policies and allocate resources to address public health concerns.

In conclusion, measures of association are essential tools for understanding the relationship between exposures and disease outcomes. By providing quantitative evidence, they inform public health decision-making and guide the development of effective interventions to improve population health.

 

This question has been answered.

Get Answer