This brief explores the concept of rising risk in the health field. Given that it is well understood that the top 5% of patients account for more than 50% of utilization, it follows that identifying risk in the population early and intervening effectively has the potential to save resources and improve health outcomes. The growing emphasis on efficiency and value, a new set of data collection and analysis tools, and the recognition that uncoordinated, after-the-fact response is not optimal all support a focus on rising-risk populations.