Explained are the concept of risk, methods of its calculation and comparison. Health risk factors are mar- kedly conditioned socially. The author presents the major sociál determinants of health, and points to their connection with the historical development of a given society. Poverty and sociál disintegration are desig- nated as a serious sociál health risk factor, and brought out are the individuaTs and the sociál values of health.

        Key words: health risk - sociál factors - poverty - health.