Prospective cohort studies

A prospective cohort study is a research method that follows a group of people over time to see how certain factors or behaviors influence their health outcomes. Researchers start with individuals who are initially free of the disease or condition of interest and record their exposures to specific risks, like smoking or diet. Over years or decades, they observe who develops the condition and analyze how these exposures might be related. This approach helps identify potential causes of diseases and provides strong evidence because the data is collected before the health outcomes occur.