title: [Theory of health risks: dispute of disciplines].
abstract: Since the Age of Enlightenment, risk as a term in philosophy has played an important role in explaining human's actions and decisions. Theoretical foundations deal with two different definitions: risk as a scientific term quantifiable by probability and size of associated damage - or risk as an individual or social construct influencing decisions and actions. Health risks have always been in the focus of both concepts with relevant theoretical and practical consequences. This contribution attempts to give a brief introduction, which will be expanded and deepened by the other articles of this volume.
authors.affiliation: Fachbereich 3, Kompetenzzentrum für Klinische Studien Bremen, Abteilung Biometrie, TAB, Universität Bremen, Am Fallturm 1, 28359, Bremen, Deutschland. timm@uni-bremen.de
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Timm
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003710:Demography; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012106:Research; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors