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A method for using epidemiologic data to estimate the potential impact of an intervention on the health status of a target population

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Abstract

A general method is proposed for estimating the potential impact of a prevention program involving risk factor modification on the incidence of specific diseases in a target population. An evaluative framework for comparing alternative intervention strategies is also presented. On the basis of results from epidemiologic studies, the user must specify certain parameters regarding the distribution of the risk factor that is to be modified in the population, the magnitude of the association between the risk factor and disease, and the total risk of disease in the population. A quantitative measure, called the potential impact fraction, is derived to estimate the proportion of expected new cases that may be prevented under intervention programs of varying success. Estimates of this measure are then used to assess the potential efficacy, effectiveness, adequacy, and efficiency of planned intervention strategies. The method is illustrated with published data relating relative weight and coronary heart disease among middle-aged U.S. men, comparing different strategies of weight reduction. Key assumptions of the method and interpretation of results are discussed.

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Additional information

Dr. Morgenstern is with the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06510, and the Center for Health Studies, Institution for Social and Policy Studies, Yale University. Ms. Bursic is with the Connecticut Department of Health Services, Preventable Diseases Division, Chronic Diseases Section, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06115. This work was supported by grants from the Public Health Service (No. 5-DO4-AH-01759-03), the National Cancer Institute (No. 1-POI-CA-16359-05), and the Kaiser Foundation.

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Morgenstern, H., Bursic, E.S. A method for using epidemiologic data to estimate the potential impact of an intervention on the health status of a target population. J Community Health 7, 292–309 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01318961

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