Health Risk Appraisals (HRA)Objectives• Describe the concept of a HRA• Identify the uses of HRAs• Define risk and risk age• List potential problems with HRAs• Provide an example of a positive

and negative risk factor

http://thelightnc.com

HRA Overview

Personal Data

Risk Assessment “Risk Age”

Ht/wtBP

CholesterolGlucose

AgeRaceSex

• Behaviors– Smoking– Exercise– Dietary

HRAs often use Risk Age• Information on age, height, weight, BP,

cholesterol, diseases, and lifestyle used to calculate “Risk Age”

• Risk Age: estimated age at which an average person would have the same chance of dying as your client

• Client age – 35 Risk age – 52

• Client age – 35 Risk age – 24

Risk• Risk: likelihood of an undesirable consequence

due to a particular activity.

• Risk Assessment: process of estimating the likelihood of an adverse effect from exposure to hazards or risk factors.

HRAs Identify “Risk Factors”• A behavior, lifestyle, or

environmental exposure that influences the probability of an outcome (according to studies)

• May be inherited or acquired

• Generally increases the probability of an event or disease

http://joesdiecastshack.yuku.com

Risk Factors

CHD

Positive Risk Factor

Positive = positive correlation with a disease

Negative Risk Factor

Protective FactorNegative = negative

correlation or protection from a disease or event

CHD

X axis

Y axis

Uses of HRAs• Information tool

• Supplement “hands-on” screenings

• Provides baseline for planning or needs assessment

• Assess risk factors

• Evaluate programs by pre-test, post-test measurements

http://capitolfax.com

Uses (cont.)

• Provides objective measure of risk in next 10 years

• Generate enthusiasm for lifestyle factors

• Motivational tool

• Provides a teachable momenthttp://pharmacy.uhh.hawaii.edu/

What are some Criticisms of HRAs?• Scientific base is limited

– Few studies on African Americans, Asian, American Indian, and youth

• Little evidence for behavioral change

• Inaccuracies in client-provided data

• May provide false sense of security– Beneficial outcomes may reinforce harmful behaviors

Where can I find a free HRA?• http://wellness.uwsp.edu/other/lifescan/lifescan.asp

• Harvard Health Calculator: https://healthyheartscore.sph.harvard.edu/

• Walgreen: http://www.walgreens.com/marketing/library/healthrisk/default.jsp?AssessmentId=2

• Heart Disease Assessment • Cancer Assessment• Alcohol Risk Assessment

University of Wisconsin Stevens Point

http://womensfreesamples.com