141st APHA Annual Meeting

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293324
Meta-analysis: Heterogeneity can be a good thing

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 12:30 PM - 12:50 PM

Nan Laird, PhD , Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, MA
Meta-analysis is widely used to address important and dispirit problems in public health and medicine. Meta-analysis seeks to summarize the results of a number of different studies on a common topic. Heterogeneity in the results is common. Sometimes, perceived heterogeneity is a motivation for the use of meta-analysis in order to understand and reconcile differences. In other cases the presence of heterogeneity is regarded as a reason not to summarize results. An important role for meta-analysis is the determination of design and analysis factors that influence the outcome of studies. In this talk, I will review some of the contributions and controversies of meta-analysis in public health and discuss the examination and resolution of heterogeneity.

Learning Areas:
Biostatistics, economics

Learning Objectives:
Describe contributions and controversies of meta-analysis in public health and discuss the examination and resolution of heterogeneity.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified because I am a distinguished professor in the field of biostatistics
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.