Which statement best describes a primary risk factor?

• A. A factor that cannot be changed
• B. A factor that has no influence on health
• C. A factor with the greatest influence on health
• D. A factor that only relates to genetics

Answer: (C)

A primary risk factor is the factor that has the strongest impact on the likelihood of developing a health problem. It’s about how much influence it has, not whether it can be changed. So describing a primary risk factor as a factor with the greatest influence on health fits best. The other statements miss the core idea: risk factors aren’t defined by modifiability alone, they do influence health, and they aren’t limited to genetics—many non-genetic factors can be primary risk factors as well.