Suppose that a recent study found an increase in heart and lung disease among people aged 50‑60. Further study revealed that, compared to people 20 years younger, these individuals tended to smoke more during their young adulthood, because they were not aware of the health effects of smoking at that time. This difference between individuals raised at different times is an example of
A) the placebo effect
B) a cross‑sectional approach
C) a cohort effect
D) a prospective study

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of a cohort effect because it describes how the conditions or characteristics specific to a particular group of people born and living around the same time (a cohort) affect outcomes, such as health issues. In this case, the increased rates of heart and lung disease among people aged 50-60 are attributed to their higher rates of smoking in young adulthood, influenced by the lack of awareness about smoking's health effects at that time.

Suppose That a Recent Study Found an Increase in Heart