Final answer:
True, relative risk is used to assess the strength of the association between exposure and disease, comparing disease incidences in exposed versus unexposed groups to determine increased or decreased risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
True. Relative risk indeed estimates the strength of association between exposure and disease. It is a ratio that compares the incidence of a health event in the group exposed to a certain factor and the incidence of the health event in a group that is not exposed. The relative risk (RR) is calculated using the formula: RR = incidence of outcome in exposed group / incidence of outcome in unexposed group. A risk ratio of one indicates that the exposure does not affect the risk of the disease, whereas ratios greater or less than one imply an increased or decreased risk respectively. In epidemiological studies such as cohort studies, this measure is vital for understanding the potential health risks linked to certain exposures and for evaluating if there is an association between a risk factor and a health event.
For example, if the incidence of a disease in the exposed group is 3.25 times higher than in the non-exposed group, then the relative risk is 3.25, indicating a significant association between the exposure and the increased risk of disease. However, it is essential to note that a correlation, or a high relative risk, does not necessarily imply causation. More comprehensive studies may be needed to establish a causal link.