Which criterion of Bradford Hill's causation criteria is considered the MOST important single criterion for establishing causality?

• A Strength of association (high RR/OR)
• B Temporality (cause precedes effect) ✓
• C Dose-response relationship
• D Biological plausibility

Explanation

Temporality — the cause must precede the effect — is the only logically indispensable criterion for causality in Bradford Hill's framework. Without establishing that exposure precedes disease, no causal inference is possible regardless of how strong or consistent the association is. Strength is the most important in terms of detecting confounding, but temporality is non-negotiable for causality.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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