A pluralistic (mosaic) approach to causality in health complexity

Federica Russo*, Alex Broadbent, Brian Castellani, Suzanne Fustolo-Gunnink, Naja Hulvej Rod, Morten Hulvej Rod, Spencer Moore, Harry Rutter, Karien Stronks, Jeroen Uleman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

There is an increasing appreciation in the health sciences that the health of populations involves complex systems. Health complexity requires a re-orientation of health research and the nature of interventions, acknowledging key features of complex systems such as emergence, feedback loops, interactions, and adaptation. Causality is a central notion in the health sciences, but how should causality be understood in complex systems, specifically in the context of population health? In this chapter, we argue that a causal mosaic approach to thinking about and using causal concepts is appropriate for answering this question because it helps us see how causal relations are studied and how they are intervened upon using a plurality of methods. The phrase 'causal mosaic' should not be understood as referring to a plurality of causal factors preceding an outcome, but rather to the plurality of concepts available for thinking about causality. We show how causality can be incorporated and remain central as complex science approaches are developed in population health.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Routledge Handbook of Causality and Causal Methods
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages241-253
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9781003528937
ISBN (Print)9781032260198
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Dec 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 selection and editorial matter, Phyllis Illari and Federica Russo. All rights reserved.

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