Instead, it is part of a larger set of conditions, known as a "sufficient cause," that together result in the disease.
The concept of component causes is part of the broader causal pie model proposed by epidemiologist Kenneth Rothman.
[1] In this model, each disease is the result of multiple causal pies, each representing a combination of component causes.
Understanding component causes is crucial for identifying intervention points to prevent disease.
By recognizing and mitigating key component causes, public health initiatives can reduce the incidence of disease.