Evidence quality
Dose-response relationship
A pattern where greater exposure is linked to greater or lesser effect.
What it means
Definition
Dose-response relationship. A dose-response relationship can strengthen causal plausibility, especially when consistent and biologically credible. It still does not prove causation alone.
What it can tell you
It can help clarify what sort of evidence or claim is being discussed.
What it cannot tell you
It cannot, by itself, prove that the headline is accurate or clinically important.
Headline trap
Why this matters in headlines
If risk steadily rises with heavier exposure, the claim may be more plausible than a one-off threshold finding.