Risk Factor

A risk factor is something that increases the likelihood of an individual or population experiencing a particular outcome or event. Risk factors can be related to a wide range of issues, including health, safety, and financial security. For example, some common risk factors for developing heart disease include high blood pressure, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Risk factors can be used to identify individuals or populations who are more likely to experience a particular outcome, and can help guide efforts to prevent or mitigate that outcome.