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 person in making healthy changes that impact their health and prevent chronic illness.

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

Person 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 health screenings like cholesterol and blood pressure leads tocreases the advantages of an Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal} by providing a more precise health assessment and as a result improving lifestyle choice decisions and program choices.

However, it is important to determine when the Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal} 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 as well as information on how to lower risk factors.

Individual reports are completely confidential. Depending on the reason for starting the Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal}, it’s important to consider the kind of report the corporation will receive as well.

A group report summarizing major risk factors and recommendations for programs to implement to reduce employee 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 workers 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 such as each year.