Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal}s.

Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal}s, are an assessment tool or questionnaire scientifically designed to identify health risks and outline information to assist individuals in making healthy changes that impact their health and prevent chronic disease.

Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal}s have four standard elements in worksite establishings -

• A Questionnaire

• A Computerized Program to Evaluate Health Risk

• Confidential Individual Reports

• Group Summary Report

Individuals complete a lifestyle questionnaire that includes for example nutrition practices, height and weight, exercise habits, family history, stress perceptions, tobacco use history, and work satisfaction.

Another important feature to consider is readiness to change questions to determine participation interest. Including medical screenings such as cholesterol and blood pressure (BP) results increases the advantages of an Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal} by providing a more valid health assessment and hence improving lifestyle option decisions and program choices.

Nevertheless, it’s important to determine if the Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal} can 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 beginning the Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal}, it’s important to consider the kind of report the company will receive as well.

A group report summarizing major risk factors and recommendations for programs to start for reduce worker and corporation risks provides valuable information for your wellness program.

The Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal}s / Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal}s could be used to -

• Bring awareness to individual employee’s health status

• Motivate staff members to make healthier lifestyle changes

• Coach high-risk employees

• Plan wellness programs based on the identified needs

• Evaluate program success by comparing Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal}s / Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal}s completed at set intervals like each year.