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Discussion of: Casual Estimates of The Relationship Between Fine Particulate Mater and Mortality Using Attainment Status Under the Clean Air Act Amendments
Citation:
Neidell, M., N. Sanders, A. Barreca, AND A. Rappold. Discussion of: Casual Estimates of The Relationship Between Fine Particulate Mater and Mortality Using Attainment Status Under the Clean Air Act Amendments. PM Casual Symposium, Chapel Hill, NC, October 03 - 04, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
Neidell and colleagues used a quasi-experimental design and "difference in-difference *approach to isolate the casual relationship between PM2.5 and mortality. Dr. Rappold is lead discussant on a paper by Neidell et al at the PM Casual Symposium sponsored by Discussion sponsored by Gradient Corporation, Rizzo Center in Chapel Hill, NC
Description:
Opening Thoughts: The intention of causal inference is to characterize cause-effect relationship within the context of a single study. This context does not establish a biological mechanism by which PM impacts mortality or weights the body of evidence against or in favor of the hypothesis. The gold standard for assessing causal effect within a study is a randomized control study. When we are unable to randomize units of observations we reach for study design and analytical tools that will help us mimic random assignment of units to treatments. In other words we try to view observational outcomes as close as possible to randomized experience. Causal inference methods make us formalize our thinking about cause and effect by thinking clearly about assumptions and acknowledging factors that can play role in internal and external validity.