What Role Do Risk Factors Play in Disease Development?
Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the likelihood of developing a disease. These can be modifiable (e.g., smoking, diet, exercise) or non-modifiable (e.g., age, gender, genetic predisposition). Epidemiologists study these risk factors to understand how they contribute to disease development and progression, and to develop strategies to mitigate their impact. Public health interventions often target modifiable risk factors to reduce disease incidence and improve population health.
