ArticleFamily practice2025
Causal mediation analysis: what is it and how can it be used to inform practice and policy?
Article in Family practice, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Intellectual and developmental disability diagnoses in California delivery records and adverse maternal outcomes.Pregnancy (Hoboken, N.J.) · 2026Article
- Evaluation of metformin for epilepsy prevention or seizure control in people without evidence of diabetes: retrospective cohort study.Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry · 2026Article
- Maternal Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Infant Outcomes.JAMA network open · 2026Article
- Geographic Access Barrier as a Critical Mediator in Obstetric Fistula Treatment Cascade in Nigeria: Evidence from a Causal Mediation Analysis of 5,496 Cases.International journal of women's health · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
13 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundCausal mediation, a quantitative analysis method, has the potential to be a valuable addition to any primary care provider, researcher, or student's toolbox.
objectiveThis manuscript describes the theory behind causal mediation, provides a running example to help understand the application of this method in research, and explains how the results may be applied practically to help design appropriate interventions. METHODS AND APPLICATION: Causal mediation allows an exploration of the mechanism of action of a primary care intervention on an outcome that may pass through a third variable that is on the causal pathway, a mediator. Causal mediation analysis allows the decomposition of the total effect of an intervention on an outcome into both direct and indirect effects. Careful interpretation of generated results can guide decision-makers when devising or refining interventions or policies that affect patient health outcomes in primary care.
conclusionCausal mediation has been used in many disciplines and is well-positioned to answer varied research questions. However, the full extent of its potential has yet to be realized.
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Registered trials
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