Question

consider the following scenario to answer questions 12 through 14. a hypothetical cohort study was undertaken among 1000 college students aged 18 to 24 in the u.s. the purpose of the study was to examine whether daily multivitamin use during college reduces the risk of heart disease later in life. the students were followed for 30 years, and the following data were obtained from the study. in this study, the authors used a measure defined as (75/5000)/(500/15000). based on the calculation in question 13, what kind of effect does daily multivitamin use during college have on the risk of developing heart disease later in life? (1 point) a it increases the risk of heart disease. b it decreases the risk of heart disease. c it has no effect on the risk of heart disease.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the incidence rate for multivitamin users

The incidence rate for multivitamin users is \( \frac{75}{5000}= 0.015\) (cases per person - year).

Step2: Calculate the incidence rate for non - multivitamin users

The incidence rate for non - multivitamin users is \( \frac{500}{15000}\approx0.033\) (cases per person - year).

Step3: Analyze the ratio \(\frac{75 / 5000}{500 / 15000}\)

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Since \(0.45<1\), the incidence rate among multivitamin users is lower than that among non - multivitamin users.

Answer:

B. It decreases the risk of heart disease.