# Risk Factor Is Not Cause **Entity class:** Evidentiary rule **Risk factor is not cause** records that a characteristic associated with a higher probability of violence or harm does not by itself cause the event or determine an individual's outcome. Risk factors support population prevention and hypothesis formation; individualized conclusions require additional evidence and context. ## Relationships [[wiki/Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention|Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention]] · [[wiki/Base-Rate Fallacy|Base-Rate Fallacy]] · [[wiki/Prediction versus Determination|Prediction versus Determination]] · [[wiki/Counterterrorism Collection - Public Health and Violence Prevention|Public Health and Violence Prevention]] ## Sources - [CDC — Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention, April 9, 2024](https://www.cdc.gov/violence-prevention/about/about-the-public-health-approach-to-violence-prevention.html) **As of:** 2026-09-23