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Updated: Dec 12, 2025

Evidence-based Knowledge Synthesis and Hypothesis Validation: Navigating Biomedical Knowledge Bases via Explainable AI and Agentic Systems
Published on: June 13, 2025
Pivoting from decomposing correlates to developing solutions: An evidence-based agenda to address drivers of health
Austin B Frakt1, Ashish K Jha2, Sherry Glied3
1VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston University School of Public Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract:
Health is influenced by many factors outside the health system. This is often expressed by decomposing contributors to health into factors that sum to 100 percent. In this commentary, we assess the (few) strengths and (many) limitations of such decompositions. We conclude that they fail to be useful for policy guidance. We conclude by proposing an alternative approach to assessing how various factors affect health: evaluations of interventions.
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