Question

What does the term " risk factor" mean?

Answer 1

What does the term " risk factor" mean?

The term risk factors can be described as :

According to the World Health Organisation, "A risk factor is any attribute, characteristic or exposure of an individual that increases the likelihood of developing a disease or injury." (ad verbatim).

In other words, a Risk factor is something the increases the risk or susceptibility to any disease.

For example, Smoking cigarettes can cause cancer, so cigarette smoking is a risk factor for cancer.

Unsafe sex is a risk factor for HIV and other sex-related diseases.

Obesity is a risk factor for the heart-related disease.