What "Risk" Really Means

Health experts frequently use statistics in regard to health. For example, "You have a one in ten-thousand risk of this or that happening". Should this be worrisome? In a word - no.

The following examples will help you get a better handle on what these numbers really mean!

*A risk of 1 in 1,000,000 is about equal to:
The chance you will flip a coin 20 times and get heads 20 tries in a row
30 seconds in a year
Less than 1/2-inch in a mile

A risk of 1 in 100,000 is about equal to:
The chance you will flip a coin 16 times and get heads 16 tries in a row.
Five minutes in a year.
1/2-inch in a mile.

A risk of 1 in 10,000 is about equal to:
The chance you will flip a coin 13 times and get heads 13 tries in a row
53 minutes a year
6 inches in a mile

Source:  International Food Information Council Foundation

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Courtesy of FitnessandFreebies.com
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