Common Screenings

2014 Prevention Campaign Fact Sheet

Vision of the National Prevention Strategy: Working together to improve the health and quality of life for individuals, families, 

and communities by moving the nation from a focus on sickness and disease to one based on prevention and wellness.

The most common types of screenings and assessments that are used for worksite health and wellness 

programs are Health Risk Appraisals and Biometric Testing. Remember to seek guidance from your 

agency’s general counsel and/or policy office before implementing these screenings.

HEALTH RISK APPRAISALS (HRAS)

Health risk appraisals (sometimes also referred to as health risk assessments) are systematic approaches 

to collecting information from individuals that identify risk factors, provide individualized feedback, and 

link the person with at least one intervention to promote health, sustain function and/or prevent 

disease. 

These HRAs are usually given as a questionnaire that employees can fill out online or in-person. They 

may contain information such as demographics of the person filling it out (e.g. age, gender, 

race/ethnicity, etc.), as well as questions pertaining to behaviors and characteristics. Many HRAs ask 

questions related to tobacco use, nutrition, physical activity and may include information that can only 

be obtained using biometric testing (such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels). 

The HRA can be the single point of entry to an agency worksite health promotion program and serve as a 

participation tracking tool. Feedback should be given to the individual employee immediately upon 

completion of an HRA (such as an online HRA) or during an individual coaching session. The HRA can be a 

useful programming/needs assessment tool for agency coordinators, provided proper procedures for 

protecting personal information are strictly followed, and a representative sample is collected in order 

to draw sound conclusions at the agency level. (See the 2014 Prevention Campaign Fact Sheet on

Workplace Health Screening for more information on the benefits of HRAs and other screenings). 

(Adapted from A Review of the U.S. Workplace Wellness Market, 2012; CDC’s Health Risk Appraisals, 2011.)

 

BIOMETRIC TESTING

The purpose of biometric testing in worksite health promotion programs is to screen for potential 

medical concerns rather than diagnosis or treatment of a medical condition. Biometric testing includes 

measurements for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity (BMI). These screenings are 

sometimes done in on-site health centers, in partnership with health plans, or in primary care clinics. 

Blood Pressure/Heart Rate

Blood pressure is usually measured using a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope. It is reported as the 

systolic pressure (the highest pressure that the heart uses against the arteries for each heart beat) over 

diastolic pressure (the lowest pressure the heart uses as it relaxes between beats). Normal blood 

pressure is less than 120/80. Prehypertension is 120/80 – 139/90. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is 

140/90 or more. One-third of American adults have high blood pressure.
Diabetes

Diabetes affects 24 million people in the United States. and pre-diabetes affects another 57 million. 

Ninety to ninety-five percent of all diagnosed cases are type 2 diabetes, meaning the body does not 

know how to use insulin properly. Diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, 

neurologic disease, and leg ulcers and amputations. The most common test is a blood test that measures 

fasting blood glucose levels. Pre-diabetes is at levels of 100-126 mg/dl and diabetes is at levels of more 

than 126 mg/dl.

Obesity

Obesity increases the risk for all of the diseases mentioned above, as well as, cancer, stroke, and 

osteoarthritis. Screenings for obesity include body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, or the skin-fold 

test. BMI is the most common measurement. BMI is found by using a calculation that looks at the 

weight vs. height of an individual. Based on the standard definitions: >18.5 is underweight, 18.5-24.9 is 

normal, 25.0-29.9 is overweight, and 30.0+ is obese.

(Adapted from A Review of the U.S. Workplace Wellness Market, 2012; CDC’s Healthier Worksite Initiative – 

Implementation, 2011.)

HHS SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEN

Screening tests Ages 18–39 Ages 40–49 Ages 50–64 Ages 65 and older

Abdominal aortic 

aneurysm screening

Once, if ever smoked.

Blood pressure test Every 2 years if blood 

pressure is lower 

than 120/80; Once a 

year if higher.

Every 2 years if blood 

pressure is lower 

than 120/80; Once a 

year if higher.

Every 2 years if blood 

pressure is lower 

than 120/80; Once a 

year if higher.

Every 2 years if blood 

pressure is lower 

than 120/80; Once a 

year if higher.

Cholesterol test 20-35, if at increased 

risk for heart disease; 

35+, test regularly.

Get a cholesterol test 

regularly.

Get a cholesterol test 

regularly.

Get a cholesterol test 

regularly.

Colorectal cancer 

screening

Starting at age 50, 

get screened for 

colorectal cancer.

Get screened for 

colorectal cancer 

through age 75.

Diabetes screening If blood pressure is 

higher than 135/80.

If blood pressure is 

higher than 135/80.

If blood pressure is 

higher than 135/80.

If blood pressure is 

higher than 135/80.

HHS SCREENING RECOMMENDATION FOR WOMEN

Screening tests Ages 18–39 Ages 40–49 Ages 50–64 Ages 65 and older

Blood pressure test Every 2 years if blood 

pressure is lower 

than 120/80; Once a 

Every 2 years if blood 

pressure is lower 

than 120/80; Once a 

Every 2 years if blood 

pressure is lower 

than 120/80; Once a 

Every 2 years if blood 

pressure is lower 

than 120/80; Once a 
year if higher. year if higher. year if higher. year if higher.

Bone mineral density 

test

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse if you 

are at risk of 

osteoporosis.

Get this test at least 

once at age 65 or 

older.

Breast cancer 

screening

Discuss with your 

doctor or nurse.

At 50+, screening 

every 2 years.

Screening every 2 

years until 74.

Cervical cancer 

screening

(Pap test)

21-30, every 3 years; 

30+, get a Pap & HPV 

test every 5 years.

Get a Pap test and 

HPV test together 

every 5 years.

Get a Pap test and 

HPV test together 

every 5 years.

Ask your doctor or 

nurse if you need to 

get a Pap test.

Cholesterol test At 20+, get tested

regularly if you are at 

increased risk for 

heart disease.

Get tested regularly if 

you are at increased 

risk for heart disease. 

Get tested regularly if 

you are at increased 

risk for heart disease. 

Get tested regularly if 

you are at increased 

risk for heart disease. 

Colorectal cancer 

screening

Starting at age 50, 

get screened for 

colorectal cancer.

Get screened for 

colorectal cancer 

through age 75.

Diabetes screening If blood pressure is 

higher than 135/80.

If blood pressure is 

higher than 135/80.

If blood pressure is 

higher than 135/80.

If blood pressure is 

higher than 135/80.

(Adapted from Womenshealth.gov – Screening Tests and Vaccines, 2013.)

RESOURCES & GUIDANCE FOR WORKSITE HEALTH & WELLNESS COORDINATORS

U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Health & Wellness Federal Tools & Resources Page

From Governmentwide guidelines to sample resources and information on Federal agencies that play a 

key role in worksite health & wellness, many tools and resources are available on this website to help 

understand the basics of worksite health & wellness, explore issues in greater detail, and implement 

effective programs. 

CDC Workplace Health Promotion

This site is a toolkit for workplace health promotion and protection professionals. These pages includes 

facts, resources, and guidance for planning and implementing comprehensive worksite wellness 

programs, including incorporating screenings and assessments. 

The National Business Group on Health & CDC’s Health Risk Appraisals at the Worksite Guide

This guide provides information to help employers make informed decisions about if, why, when, and 

how to use HRAs for their workforce. It includes an overview of HRAs, an HRA features prioritization 

checklist, and an HRA comparison checklist.