03/13/2026
What does it mean if I am at a higher health risk?
Sometimes you will hear people say that having certain diagnoses or habits can put you at a higher risk of getting sick or hurt. But what does it mean to be at a higher risk? How do you know if you are a higher risk? This video will explain what it means to be a higher health risk, things you can do to keep yourself safe and healthy, and questions to ask your doctor to better understand your health risk.
Transcript:
What does it mean if your doctor tells you that you are at a higher health risk? It means that you are more likely to experience or develop a disease or health issue compared to the general population. Being at a higher health risk is often due to things like:
• Age
• Family history (does someone else in your family also have that health issue?)
• Lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking, or not wearing a seatbelt.
• Or medical conditions you already have that might increase your risk (such as high blood pressure or asthma)
What should you do if you are at a higher health risk?
• You can make lifestyle changes like eating healthy food, exercising regularly (like going on daily walks), being mindful of your stress, and avoiding smoking.
• See your doctor every year for your annual check up and get the recommended health screenings. Blood tests, mammograms, and colonoscopies are some examples of health screenings. The screenings can vary depending on your age. Your doctor can also help you manage medical conditions you already have (such as asthma or high blood pressure) to help reduce your risk of developing further issues.
• Use your self-advocacy skills with your providers if you have concerns.
Here are some questions you can ask your doctor to better understand your health risks and what you can do to reduce your risk:
• What are my health risks? Are these risks short term, or something I need to be aware of for my whole life?
• What can I do to reduce my risks?
• What are options I should consider? These can be things like medications or other treatments, screenings, getting more exercise, or changing the way you eat.
• How will these options reduce or impact my risk?
• Are there side effects or other things I should be aware of when I consider these options?
For more information, click the link in the description below the video.
Being aware of what makes you at higher risk and options to reduce that risk are important to your health!
