Risk factor: the term in the disease prevention context denotes any factor such as population groups, habits, substances, behavior patterns, geographic locations and other sites, situations, ...etc that increases the likelihood of developing a disease. For example:
1. Eating your beef rare instead of well done
2. Drinking beer instead of wine
3. Listening to trash metal instead of civilized music
4. Machinegunning innocent little girls (especially SuperG.Girl who is the most innocent girl in the world)
5. Arguing with SuperG.Girl who is always right about everything
are serious risk factors of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia and neurodegenerative disease.
Prophylaxis: is any measure taken to prevent a disease or to create optimal health conditions. For example machinegunning @Stormbringer is a well proven prophylaxis against obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, AIDs, osteoporosis, menopause, premenstrual syndrome, allergies, asthma, all kind of infections, stress, fatigue, mood disorders, kidney disease, pneumonia, atherosclerosis, car accidents, equipment malfunctions, slow computers, stupid professors, heavy traffic conditions, .... etc. Additionally if you are a guy it can make your penis grow bigger and stronger
Sooooooooooooo .............in the name of optimal health:
@Stormbringer