What is the main focus of a cohort study?

A cohort study primarily aims to understand the effects of disease exposure by observing a specific group of individuals, known as a cohort, over a period of time. These studies typically track participants who have been exposed to a certain risk factor or treatment and compare their outcomes to those who have not been exposed. This design allows researchers to identify correlations and potentially causal relationships between exposure and various health outcomes.

Cohort studies are particularly valuable in epidemiology because they enable scientists to follow subjects longitudinally, thereby capturing data on how exposures lead to diseases over time. Such studies often help quantify risks associated with certain behaviors, environmental factors, or interventions by measuring the incidence of diseases within the exposed and unexposed groups.