Health effect

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Health effect

Health effect (pronunciation: /ˈhɛlθ ɪˈfɛkt/) refers to the impact or influence that a particular factor, such as an environmental condition, behavior, or intervention, has on the health status of an individual or population.

Etymology

The term "health effect" is derived from the Old English "hǣlþ", meaning "wholeness, a being whole, sound or well," and the Latin "effectus", which means "an accomplishment, a performance."

Definition

A health effect can be positive or negative. A positive health effect is an effect which contributes to good health or the improvement of health. For example, regular exercise has a positive health effect because it improves physical fitness and reduces the risk of heart disease. A negative health effect, on the other hand, is harmful or detrimental to health. For example, exposure to asbestos can have a negative health effect by causing lung disease or cancer.

Related Terms

  • Health: A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
  • Effect: A change that is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.
  • Risk factor: An aspect of personal behavior or lifestyle, an environmental exposure, or an inborn or inherited characteristic, which, on the basis of epidemiologic evidence, is known to be associated with health-related condition(s) considered important to prevent.
  • Prevention: Activities that reduce the risk of disease or injury, improve health, and enhance the quality of life.
  • Public health: The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals.

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