Health Risk Assessments (HRAs).

Health Risk Assessments (HRAs), are an assessment tool or questionnaire scientifically designed to identify health risks and outline information to assist person in making healthful changes that impact their health and prevent chronic illness.

Health Risk Appraisals (HRAs) have four standard elements in worksite settings -

o  A Questionnaire

o  A Computerized Program to Evaluate Health Risk

o  Confidential Individual Reports

o  Group Summary Report

Person complete a lifestyle questionnaire that includes for instance nutrition practices, height and weight, exercise habits, family history, stress perceptions, smoking history, and work satisfaction.

Another important feature to consider is readiness to change questions to determine participation interest. Including health testings such as cholesterol and blood pressure leads tocreases the benefits of an HRA by providing a more accurate health assessment and hence bettering lifestyle option decisions and health promotion program options.

However, it’s vital that you determine when the Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) may be used without including this information.

The questionnaire information is entered into a computer program and an individual confidential report is generated that summarizes health risks in addition to information on how to lower risk factors.

Individual reports are completely confidential. Depending on the reason for starting the Health Risk Appraisal, it is vital that you consider the kind of report the company will receive as well.

A group report summarizing major risk factors and recommendations for health promotion programs to implement to reduce staff member and company risks provides valuable information for your health promotion program.

The Health Risk Appraisals (HRAs) can be used to -

o  Bring awareness to individual employee’s health status

o  Motivate workforce to make healthier lifestyle changes

o  Coach high-risk employees

o  Plan wellness programs based on the identified needs

o  Evaluate health promotion program success by comparing Health Risk Appraisals (HRAs) completed at set intervals such as yearly.