Correlating risk factors

• What should you be able to describe by the end of the video?

  Risk factors linked to non-communicable diseases
• What is the difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases?

  Communicable diseases spread person to person
• Why couldn't scientists experiment on humans to find lung cancer causes?

  It would be unethical to do so
• What is epidemiology?

  Studying disease patterns to determine risk factors
• How did scientists link smoking to lung cancer?

  By studying lifestyle habits and disease patterns
• What correlation did scientists find between smoking and lung cancer?

  Positive correlation between smoking and lung cancer
• What does a positive correlation indicate?

  As one variable increases, so does the other
• Does correlation prove causation?

  No, correlation does not prove cause
• What is a causal mechanism?

  A scientific explanation of how something causes another
• What are carcinogens?

  Chemicals that damage DNA and increase cancer risk
• What did scientists conclude about smoking and lung cancer?

  Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer
• What is the potential problem with sampling in epidemiology?

  Samples may not represent the entire population
• What is necessary to avoid bias in sampling?

  A large and random sample is needed
• Why can't we draw conclusions from a small or non-random sample?

  It may not accurately reflect the population
• What are the key points about sampling in epidemiology?

  • Avoid bias by using large samples
  • Ensure samples are as random as possible
  • Small or non-random samples are unreliable
• Where can you find more questions on correlation and sampling?

  In the ization workbook
• What should you be able to describe after watching the video?

  Risk factors, sampling, and causal mechanisms