Nonmodifiables

Nonmodifiables (also written non-modifiables) are properties, factors, or characteristics that cannot be changed by an agent, system, or intervention. The term is used in fields such as public health, psychology, and data analysis to distinguish elements that are fixed from those that can be altered.

In public health, nonmodifiables are non-modifiable risk factors. Examples include age, sex, genetic traits, and family history of disease. These factors influence baseline risk and prognosis but do not respond to typical interventions aimed at behavior or environment.

In research and policy, identifying nonmodifiables helps with risk stratification, study design, and interpretation of results. They are often used to adjust analyses or to tailor screening recommendations, acknowledging that some individuals inherently have higher or lower risk independent of actions.

Ethical and methodological considerations arise because some factors designated as nonmodifiable are sensitive (such as genetic information or sex) and require careful handling, consent, and privacy protections. The concept is flexible and context-dependent, and some traits may be modifiable indirectly through long-term interventions or changes in context.

Related terms include modifiable risk factors, immutable characteristics, and fixed variables.