Health Ratios
Health ratios in decentralized finance represent the collateralization status of a loan position. They are calculated by dividing the value of the collateral provided by the value of the debt borrowed, adjusted for a liquidation threshold.
A high health ratio indicates a safe position with plenty of collateral, while a low health ratio signals that the position is approaching the threshold where it will be forcibly closed. Protocols monitor these ratios in real-time to ensure the system remains solvent.
When a ratio drops below a critical point, smart contracts trigger automatic liquidations to repay lenders. This mechanism is essential for maintaining stability in undercollateralized or overcollateralized lending environments.
It acts as a primary risk management tool for both the protocol and the individual borrower. Understanding these ratios is fundamental to managing leverage safely in crypto markets.