by W. Diane Van Zwol

Created on: November 03, 2009

Risk Factors, Health Effectors and Stereotypes

Focusing on risk factors could possibly lead to diagnosis by stereotype, but that should not happen in our contemporary medical world.

Each patient is a unique individual, whose diagnosis and treatment should ideally be in accordance with the symptoms that he or she presents to a doctor. At the same time, there may be concern voiced, if a doctor appears to focus on risk factors, that could lead to a diagnosis by stereotype.

From a medical perspective, when something affects a person's health, it is designated a health effector. It is important for doctors to distinguish between risks that are actual health effectors and those regarded as risk factors related to stereotypes.

Is there a difference?

Yes, in medical realms, there is a difference between health effectors and risk factors associated with stereotypes.

Let us examine both topics, by definition.

"A health effector is a thing that can positively or negatively influence one's health. Something that can only influence one's health negatively is called a health risk or a risk factor." (1)

A doctor must be aware of the possibility of stereotypes, when making a diagnosis. At any time, a diagnosis can appear to be stereotypical, even though that is not necessarily the case.

What is a stereotype?

"The term "stereotype" derives from the Greek (stereos) "solid, firm" plus (sic) "blow, impression, engraved mark" hence "solid impression". (2)

In other words, a stereotype is an impression formed about a person or a group of people. Sometimes, it entails patterns of thought linked to others or their ideas. For one reason or another, the stereotype may be fixated in the minds of numerous people. Stereotypes can be extremely difficult to break away from, as they often involve belief systems.

In our era, is the projection of stereotypes onto other people, a relatively new phenomenon?

"The term, in its modern psychology sense, was first used by Walter Lippman, in his 1922 work, 'Public Opinions', although in the printing sense, it was first coined in 1798." (3)

This is not a new phenomenon, but it may become increasingly important in our era, in the light of the current H1N1 pandemic. At the same time, previously established stereotypes should not determine how patients or others are treated.

What does the expression, 'risk factor' mean?

"A risk factor is a variable associated with an increased risk of disease or infection. Risk factors are correlational

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