1. Identifying Risk Factors: They help in identifying and quantifying risk factors for infectious diseases. For example, cohort studies were pivotal in identifying smoking as a significant risk factor for lung cancer.
2. Evaluating Interventions: These studies evaluate the effectiveness of interventions such as vaccines, medications, or public health strategies. The impact of the HPV vaccine on the incidence of cervical cancer was largely understood through cohort studies.
3. Understanding Disease Progression: Cohort studies provide insights into the natural history and progression of diseases. They can help determine the incubation period of viruses, the duration of immunity post-infection, and the long-term consequences of infections.
