---
title: 'Commentary: Compositional data call for complex interventions'
description: >-
  Explore this publication on real-world evidence: Commentary: Compositional
  data call for complex interventions.
date: '2019-01-01'
author: Alexander Breskin
category: Publications
tags:
  - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  - International Journal of Epidemiology
  - Approval & Commercialization
  - 'Yes'
  - Health System Partner
  - Oral Presentation
  - Methods/Pharmacoepi
  - R&D
canonical_url: >-
  https://www.headwaterscience.com/resources/publications/acad-university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/commentary-compositional-data-call-for-complex/
source: Headwater Science
license: © 2026 Headwater Science. All rights reserved.
slug: commentary-compositional-data-call-for-complex
id: 6pNjR071iYVFCjbNs7xVSl
contentType: article
---

## Challenge

Compositional data—where components sum to a constant—violate standard regression assumptions, and standard analytic approaches applied to this data type can yield misleading causal estimates about the effects of behavioral interventions.

## Solution

Target RWE researchers contributed a commentary in IJE highlighting the methodological challenges of compositional data in epidemiology and the need for methods that appropriately handle the constrained nature of such data when estimating intervention effects.

## Impact

Contributing methodological commentary to a leading epidemiology journal demonstrates Target RWE's breadth of methodological expertise and positions the company as a versatile analytic partner for public health and behavioral intervention research.

## Use Cases / Links

Compositional data methodology commentary for behavioral intervention causal effect estimation, Methodological breadth positioning for Target RWE in public health and behavioral epidemiology