Reducing Both Probability and Severity

Medical research. Medical research is a broad risk mitigant. It leads to vaccines which reduce the likelihood of disease as well as medications which reduce health damage in the event diseases do strike.

Some actions can simultaneously reduce the likelihood of negative outcomes and their severity.

Examples:

  1. The rule of law (legal systems, including law enforcement) can help to reduce the likelihood of crime and to mitigate some of the damage due to crime. For example, legal proceedings can be used to deter white collar criminals and to recoup embezzled funds when trespasses occur.
  2. Smoke detectors can reduce the likelihood of fires breaking out by alerting residents to wisps of smoke. They can also bring fire-fighting crews on site quickly which can reduce damage.
  3. Environmental protection laws reduce the likelihood of damage to the environment, as well as the extent of the damage.

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