What does "health risk assessment" specifically evaluate?

"Health risk assessment" specifically evaluates the potential for health effects in individuals from exposure to specific hazards. This process involves identifying and characterizing the nature and magnitude of risks associated with chemical, physical, or biological agents present in the environment. It aims to understand how exposure to these hazards may translate into adverse health outcomes, providing valuable information for decision-making about risk management and public health interventions.

The assessment typically involves several components, including hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. Each of these components helps to systematically evaluate the relationship between exposure to hazards and potential health effects, focusing on individuals who may be affected.

Understanding individual risk is crucial for implementing effective health protections and interventions. This is why the focus of health risk assessments is on individual health outcomes rather than broader community health or treatment efficacy.