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The primary focus of an analytic study is to identify causes of diseases and test hypotheses. Analytic studies are designed to understand the relationships between exposure factors (such as behaviors, environmental influences, or genetic predispositions) and health outcomes (like diseases or health conditions). By examining these relationships, researchers can determine whether specific exposures are associated with an increased risk of disease, thereby providing insights into causality.

This approach is essential in public health research as it helps to bridge the gap between observational data and actionable health strategies. For instance, by analyzing different population groups, researchers can pinpoint risk factors for diseases, which can lead to the development of targeted interventions and policies.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of public health research. Estimating disease frequency and trends is typically part of descriptive studies rather than analytic studies. Tracking specific outcomes over a long period refers more to cohort studies or longitudinal studies focused on monitoring changes over time rather than establishing causal relationships. Finally, screening for individuals who have a disease is a practice aimed at early detection and prevention rather than exploring the causal factors behind disease development. Thus, the emphasis on identifying causes and testing hypotheses is what distinctly characterizes an analytic study.