Risk is a central aspect of health condition because attitudes towards risk may influence the inclination to adopt behaviours that can influence health condition. Taking preventive health care measures or purchasing a private health insurance are examples of decisions individuals make based on their preferences. This study analysed the relationship between health condition and behaviour under conditions of uncertainty and examined personal characteristics related to risk behaviour. Data was obtained from a survey on a representative sample of the Dutch adult population (n = 2,822) conducted between May and June of 2014. Risk attitude was assessed through a self-reported scale and risk behaviours through a simulated lottery game, both included in the same survey. The relationship between risk attitudes and behaviours was examined, as well as certain socio-economic variables, including health condition, demographic characteristics, social status, and confidence in government institutions. Surveyed participants perceived themselves as risk-avoiding. However, their behaviour tended to be risk-seeking when playing lottery games, even when they faced potential (but limited) economic losses. Participants with poorer mental health condition tended to be less risk-inclined, which was not the case for participants who reported poor general health status. Participants feeling a higher satisfaction with their lives were willing to take greater risks in the lottery games. These findings allow for understanding risk behaviour as the interaction between personal perception of risk attitude and the assessment of risk associated to a specific situation. This assessment may be directly modulated by one’s state of mind and not by physical health condition.

风险是健康状况的重要方面，因为对风险的态度可能会影响采取可能影响健康状况的行为的倾向。采取预防性保健措施或购买私人健康保险是个人根据自己的偏好做出决策的示例。这项研究分析了不确定条件下健康状况与行为之间的关系，并研究了与风险行为有关的个人特征。数据来自对荷兰成年人口代表性样本的调查（n = 2822）在2014年5月至6月之间进行。风险态度是通过自我报告的量表和通过模拟彩票游戏进行的风险行为评估的，两者均包含在同一调查中。研究了风险态度和行为之间的关系，以及某些社会经济变量，包括健康状况，人口统计学特征，社会地位和对政府机构的信心。被调查的参与者认为自己规避风险。但是，即使他们面临潜在的（但有限的）经济损失，他们在玩彩票游戏时也倾向于冒险。精神健康状况较差的参与者倾向于降低风险倾向，而报告总体健康状况较差的参与者则并非如此。参与者对生活的满意度更高，他们愿意在彩票游戏中承担更大的风险。这些发现允许将风险行为理解为个人对风险态度的感知与与特定情况相关的风险评估之间的相互作用。该评估可以直接由一个人的心理状态而不是身体健康状况来调节。