The observed or calculated probability of the occurrence of an event, Xâe.g., toxic exposure, infection, etc.âin a population relative to its exposure to a specific hazard or pathogen. Absolute risk is risk stated without any context whatsoever.
Malaria is a serious infection. It is common in tropical countries such as parts of Africa, Asia and South America. Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite called Plasmodium that lives in mosquitoes.
A doctor in Ghana cares for a young child with malaria. Source: GSK/Flickr. As of April, the WHO reports that 3.2 billion people worldwide live in countries where malaria poses a health risk (of which there are 95) and that 88% of cases were in sub-Saharan Africa.