A repeated health survey to the same respondents over different times is categorized as what type of study?

The correct categorization of a study that involves repeated health surveys administered to the same respondents over different time points is longitudinal. This type of study is characterized by its focus on tracking changes over time within the same group of individuals, allowing researchers to observe trends, patterns, and the evolution of health outcomes or behaviors in response to various factors.

By collecting data from the same individuals at multiple intervals, longitudinal studies can provide valuable insights into the dynamics of health and illness, identifying factors that influence changes over time. This approach is particularly useful for understanding the progression of diseases, the impact of interventions, or the effects of various social and environmental determinants on health outcomes.

In contrast, analytic studies typically focus on assessing relationships between variables through comparison or statistical analysis but do not necessarily involve repeated measures on the same participants. Cohort studies, while they can also be longitudinal, generally refer to a study design where a group of participants with a shared characteristic is followed over time, but it may not involve repeated surveys or assessments of the same individuals at multiple time points. Observational studies encompass a broader range of methods including both cross-sectional and longitudinal designs, but it is the longitudinal design that specifically matches the criteria of repeated measures over time with the same respondents.