Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Analytical epidemiology involves studying the determinants and distribution of health-related events in specific populations. It uses statistical methods to identify risk factors and causes of diseases.
Analytical epidemiology often uses case-control studies, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials to establish associations between exposures and outcomes.
It aims to identify the 'why' and 'how' of disease patterns by examining potential causal relationships.
Key measures used in analytical epidemiology include relative risk, odds ratio, and attributable risk.
Unlike descriptive epidemiology, which focuses on the 'who,' 'what,' 'when,' and 'where,' analytical epidemiology is concerned with the 'why' and 'how.'
Statistical tools such as regression analysis are frequently employed to control for confounding variables.
Related terms
Descriptive Epidemiology: Focuses on describing the distribution of diseases within a population.
Case-Control Study: A study that compares individuals with a disease to those without to identify potential causes.
Cohort Study: A study that follows a group of people over time to determine how certain exposures affect outcomes.