HRAs.
Posted by Employee Motivation | Posted in Health Promotion, Wellness Programs | Posted on 17-02-2011
Tags: Health Promotion, wellness program
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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 Assessments (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
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 biometric testings such as cholesterol and blood pressure (BP) causescreases the benefits of an Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) by providing a more valid health assessment and therefore bettering lifestyle choice decisions and health promotion program choices.
Nevertheless, it is important to determine when the HRA can be used without including this information.
The questionnaire information is entered into a computer program and a personal 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’s crucial to consider the type of report the company will receive as well.
A group report summarizing major risk factors and recommendations for wellness programs to begin in order to reduce staff member and company risks provides valuable information for your wellness program.
The Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) can be used to -
o Bring awareness to individual staff member’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 wellness program success by comparing HRAs completed at set intervals such as each year.