CausalStep

A single step in a causal pathway, representing one mechanistic transition from a state to another.

Canonical URL: https://healthschema.org/CausalStep

Namespace: hs:

Category: Causal Mechanisms

Properties

Properties from CausalStep (in addition to properties inherited from Intangible and Thing):

Property	Expected Type	Description
stepNumber	Integer	Order in the sequence (1, 2, 3...)
mechanism	Text	How this step causes the next transition
result	Text	What happens as a result of this step
biochemicalChanges	Text (multiple)	Specific molecular or cellular changes occurring in this step
quantification	QuantitativeValue	Measurable aspects of this step (amounts, rates, percentages)
timeDelay	Duration	Time between this step and the next (ISO 8601 format)
evidenceLevel	MedicalEvidenceLevel	Quality/strength of evidence for this step (A, B, C grading)
evidenceSource	ScholarlyArticle or CreativeWork	Citation linking this step to supporting research
rationale	Text	Why this step matters in the overall pathway

Examples

Example 1: Simple Mechanistic Step

A basic step showing core properties:

JSON-LD

{
  "@context": [
    "https://schema.org",
    {
      "hs": "https://healthschema.org/",
      "CausalStep": "hs:CausalStep"
    }
  ],
  "@type": "CausalStep",
  "stepNumber": 1,
  "mechanism": "Reduced caloric intake depletes glycogen stores",
  "result": "Body shifts to fat metabolism",
  "timeDelay": "P3D"
}

Example 2: Detailed Biochemical Step with Evidence

A comprehensive example showing molecular-level detail:

JSON-LD

{
  "@context": [
    "https://schema.org",
    {
      "hs": "https://healthschema.org/",
      "CausalStep": "hs:CausalStep"
    }
  ],
  "@type": "CausalStep",
  "stepNumber": 3,
  "mechanism": "Nutritional stress triggers premature termination of anagen phase through follicular metabolism disruption",
  "result": "Hair follicles shift from active growth (anagen) to resting (telogen) phase",
  "biochemicalChanges": [
    "Reduced ATP production in follicular keratinocytes",
    "Decreased cellular metabolism in dermal papilla",
    "Downregulation of hair growth signaling pathways",
    "Impaired protein synthesis for keratin production"
  ],
  "quantification": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": "30-50",
    "unitText": "percent of follicles affected in typical case"
  },
  "timeDelay": "P2M",
  "evidenceLevel": {
  "@type": "MedicalEvidenceLevel",
  "evidenceLevel": "https://schema.org/EvidenceLevelB"
  },
  "evidenceSource": {
    "@type": "ScholarlyArticle",
    "name": "Nutritional factors and hair loss",
    "url": "https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13616",
    "datePublished": "2017"
  }
}

Usage Notes

When to Use CausalStep

Use CausalStep when:

Within a CausalPathway — Always used as a component of a CausalPathway
Explaining mechanisms — To describe individual mechanistic transitions
Sequential processes — When steps occur in a specific order
Evidence varies by step — When some steps are better supported than others

Best Practices

Number sequentially — Use stepNumber to maintain correct order (1, 2, 3...)
Be specific — Include biochemicalChanges for molecular-level detail when available
Include timing — Use timeDelay to show when transitions occur
Cite evidence — Include evidenceLevel and evidenceSource for each step
Quantify when possible — Use quantification for measurable aspects
Distinguish mechanism from result — Mechanism is HOW, result is WHAT happens

Mechanism vs. Result

The distinction is important:

Mechanism: "Cortisol inhibits Gas6 protein secretion"
Result: "Follicle stem cells cannot activate"

This separation helps LLMs understand causation more precisely.

Related Types

Health Schema Types

Schema.org Types

MedicalEvidenceLevel — Use for evidence strength
ScholarlyArticle — Use for citations
QuantitativeValue — Use for measurements
Duration — Use for time delays (ISO 8601 format)