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A health risk appraisal (HRA) is a computer-based health-promotion tool, consisting of a questionnaire, a formula for estimating health risks (e.g., premature death), an advice database, and a means to generate reports. Its roots lie in efforts to guide physicians in promoting health as well as treating illness. HRAs are widely used in worksite wellness programs and community-based health programs as well as health care settings.

Typical aims are to assess health risks and lifestyle choices; to motivate individuals to adopt or maintain beneficial lifestyle practices; to guide health-promotion activities of health plans, employers, and health agencies; and to create a database profile of the population appraised. A key element of any HRA is personalized feedback to identify areas of excess health risk and recommend actions. More information is available from the Society of Prospective Medicine at http://www.spm.org.

DENNIS D. TOLSMA

(SEE ALSO: Assessment of Health Status; Behavior, Health-Related; Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; Health Promotion and Education; Risk Assessment, Risk Management)