1. Chapter 12
Health Risk Appraisal

2. Health Risk Appraisal Tool
Provides an estimate of health threats
Identifies personal habits that impact health
Enhances decision making process
Increase knowledge of personal susceptibility to disease
Stimulate lifestyle change
Promote health

3. History Developed during World War II
Used as a counseling tool in the 1950s
Early 1980s nurses began using them
1980s and 90s used in homes, community, and worksite programs

4. Classification of Risk Factors
Genetic
Age
Biologic characteristics
Personal health habits
Lifestyle
Environment

5. Classification of Risk Factors
Validity, reliability, effectiveness
Lack of documented reliability and validity for most instruments in use
Effectiveness remains in question

6. Use of HRA Appropriate and inappropriate use of HRA
Intended for persons free of disease
Not intended to diagnose or screen for disease
Not a substitute for a medical exam or complete history

7. HRA Guidelines Ethical principles involved Confidentiality
Voluntary participation
Appropriateness for population
Quality assurance

8. HRA Guidelines Health Assessment Program Planning
Health Assessment Instrument Selection
Health Assessment Participant Orientation
Health Assessment Administration
Health Assessment Data Security
Health Assessment Report Interpretation
Health Promotion Resource Accessibility

9. Selection of Appropriate Tool
Keep in mind the target audience
Most tools consist of questions
Lifestyle or behavioral area

10. Implications for Public Health Nursing
Healthy People 2010 overarching goals
Increase quality and years of healthy life
Eliminate health disparities
Can be used as a surveillance tool

11. Implications Public health nurses can use HRAs to monitor for:
Infectious and chronic disease
Injuries and specialized conditions
Expand use of HRAs as a component of a larger health promotion intervention