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The Counterfactual Implications of Fundamental Cause Theory

  • Social Epidemiology (JM Oakes, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Causal inference lies at the center of epidemiologic research. In social epidemiology, two separate approaches to framing cause-effect relations have been considered: the counterfactual (or potential outcomes) framework and the theory of fundamental causes. The relations between these two frameworks have not yet been articulated. In this paper, I review the counterfactual and fundamental cause frameworks, and show how they capture different notions of cause-effect relations. Additionally, I show how the counterfactual and fundamental cause frameworks can be integrated to provide a more rigorous treatment of causality in social epidemiology. In particular, I show how counterfactual quantities can be used to evaluate predictions that follow from fundamental cause theory, assess the relations between and roles of various social resources in a given health disparity, and generate evidence on the potential interventions to mitigate health disparities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 DeSoto Street, Parran 503, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA

    Ashley I. Naimi

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  1. Ashley I. Naimi
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Correspondence to Ashley I. Naimi.

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Ashley I. Naimi declares no conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Social Epidemiology

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Naimi, A.I. The Counterfactual Implications of Fundamental Cause Theory. Curr Epidemiol Rep 3, 92–97 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40471-016-0067-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40471-016-0067-7

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