Question

What is meant by the term "risk factor"? Give some examples?

Answer 1

 

The term "risk factor" is a broad term referring to a variable or a feature presence of which increases the chances of an unfavourable outome in the specified context.

In medical field, for example, risk factors refer to the determinants that are associated with heightened risk of abnormality. Risk factors can be environmental, behavioral,  life style associated, genetic, age related etc.

Some of the examples are:

Early life stress is a risk factor for adult neurodevelopmental disorders. 

Unhygeinic environs are risk factor for infections.

Very old age is thought to be a risk factor for Coronavirus Covid-19.

High blood pressure is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. 

These are just few examples of risk factors and that too restricted to medical fiels. As stated, risk factor is a broad term that is used in diverse contexts. 

The term "risk factor" is a broad term referring to a variable or a feature presence of which increases the chances of an unfavourable outome in the specified context.