Max Rady College of Medicine

Term: Population Attributable Risk

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Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2010-11-17

Definition:

Population Attributable Risk Percent (PAR %) is used to report:

  • the proportion of cases in the population that is attributable to the exposure.
  • the proportion of cases in the population that could be prevented if the risk factor was eliminated.

    / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
    Outcome (i.e.: lung cancer)
    / / / / / / / /
    Exposed to Risk Factor (i.e.: smoking)
    YES
    NO
    Total
    YES
    a
    b
    a + b
    NO
    c
    d
    c + d
    Total
    a + c
    b + d
    a + b + c + d

PAR% = [(Px*(RR-1))/(1+(Px*(RR-1))]*100, where:

  • RR = relative risk
  • = incidence of the exposed / incidence of the unexposed
  • = (a/a+b)/(c/c+d)

    and

  • Px = population exposed/not exposed to the outcome of interest
  • = (a+c)/(a+b+c+d)

Related terms 

References 

  • Brownell M, Chartier M, Au W, Schultz J. Evaluation of the Healthy Baby Program. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2010. [Report] [Summary] (View)


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Manitoba Centre for Health Policy
Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine,
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences,
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University of Manitoba
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