Many Studies Have Been Conducted on the Effects of Having

question 20

Multiple Choice

Many studies have been conducted on the effects of having a pet on the response to medical problems and on mental health. But doctors in Berlin were interested in the effects of having a pet bird on lung cancer. (I assume they were wondering if birds might cause air pollution that could lead to lung cancer.) They asked 239 patients with lung cancer and 429 controls without lung cancer whether they had a pet bird. Ninety eight of the 239 patients did have a bird, while 101 of the 429 controls had a bird. (That strikes me as a very high percentage of bird owners, but those are the data.)
Why would it be wrong to calculate relative risk in this study?

• A) The study is a retrospective study.
• B) Relative risk rarely tells us anything.
• C) Risk is not a meaningful concept in this study.
• D) both b and c

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Definitions:

Verbal Commands

Instructions or orders communicated through spoken words, often used in various contexts such as law enforcement, military, or healthcare.

Respond

To react to something by taking a specific action or making a reply.

EPSDT Program

Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment program, a Medicaid program for children and young adults under the age of 21.

Medicaid

A government-funded program in the United States providing health coverage to individuals and families with low income and resources.