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Complex causal process diagrams for analyzing the health impacts of policy interventions

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  • Joffe, M.
  • Mindell, J.

Abstract

Causal diagrams are rigorous tools for controlling confounding. They also can be used to describe complex causal systems, which is done routinely in communicable disease epidemiology. The use of change diagrams has advantages over static diagrams, because change diagrams are more tractable, relate better to interventions, and have clearer interpretations. Causal diagrams are a useful basis for modeling. They make assumptions explicit, provide a framework for analysis, generate testable predictions, explore the effects of interventions, and identify data gaps. Causal diagrams can be used to integrate different types of information and to facilitate communication both among public health experts and between public health experts and experts in other fields. Causal diagrams allow the use of instrumental variables, which can help control confounding and reverse causation.

Suggested Citation

  • Joffe, M. & Mindell, J., 2006. "Complex causal process diagrams for analyzing the health impacts of policy interventions," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(3), pages 473-479.
  • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2005.063693_8
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.063693
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    Cited by:

    1. Wei Xun & Aneire Khan & Edwin Michael & Paolo Vineis, 2010. "Climate change epidemiology: methodological challenges," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 55(2), pages 85-96, April.
    2. Noémi Kreif & Richard Grieve & M. Zia Sadique, 2013. "Statistical Methods For Cost‐Effectiveness Analyses That Use Observational Data: A Critical Appraisal Tool And Review Of Current Practice," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(4), pages 486-500, April.
    3. Harder, Thomas & Abu Sin, Muna & Bosch-Capblanch, Xavier & Bruno Coignard, & de Carvalho Gomes, Helena & Duclos, Phillippe & Eckmanns, Tim & Elder, Randy & Ellis, Simon & Forland, Frode & Garner, Paul, 2015. "Towards a framework for evaluating and grading evidence in public health," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(6), pages 732-736.
    4. Holly Vins & Jesse Bell & Shubhayu Saha & Jeremy J. Hess, 2015. "The Mental Health Outcomes of Drought: A Systematic Review and Causal Process Diagram," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-25, October.
    5. Sharon Friel & Melanie Pescud & Eleanor Malbon & Amanda Lee & Robert Carter & Joanne Greenfield & Megan Cobcroft & Jane Potter & Lucie Rychetnik & Beth Meertens, 2017. "Using systems science to understand the determinants of inequities in healthy eating," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(11), pages 1-18, November.
    6. Hazel Squires & James Chilcott & Ronald Akehurst & Jennifer Burr & Michael P. Kelly, 2016. "A systematic literature review of the key challenges for developing the structure of public health economic models," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(3), pages 289-298, April.

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