The Bradford Hill criterion 'consistency' in establishing causality means:
- A A dose-response relationship exists between exposure and outcome
- B The association is specific to one disease and one exposure
- C The association has been observed repeatedly in different populations, places, and times ✓
- D Removal of the exposure leads to reduction in disease incidence
Correct answer: C. The association has been observed repeatedly in different populations, places, and times
Explanation
Consistency (one of Bradford Hill's 9 criteria) refers to the repeated observation of the same association across different populations, settings, methodologies, and time periods. Dose-response (biological gradient) is a separate criterion. Specificity refers to the association being limited to one exposure-disease pair. Reversibility (cessation of exposure reducing risk) is related to but separate from the criterion of temporality.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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