Fond Du Lac Times

In a time when health information is widely available online, many people turn to the internet for answers about medical concerns. However, the accuracy and relevance of such information can vary.

Health professionals advise that a primary care provider should be the main source for personal health advice. Some individuals, though, may not have a regular healthcare provider or might hesitate to discuss certain topics unless they are sure there is an issue. Others may simply want to know if their lifestyle choices put them at risk for specific health problems.

One tool designed to address these questions is the Health Risk Assessment (HRA), which is available on the Watertown Regional Medical Center website. An HRA is an online questionnaire that evaluates potential health risks and identifies areas where someone could be vulnerable to certain illnesses or diseases.

The assessment helps users understand their current health status in relation to particular concerns—such as colon or heart health—and provides personalized recommendations aimed at improving overall well-being.

For example, a heart health HRA will ask about factors like age, waist size, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, physical activity levels, and family history of heart disease. The responses are compared with clinical data to generate a report showing whether an individual’s risk level is low, moderate, or high. Recommendations are then offered based on those results. If someone reports unhealthy eating habits in their answers, the assessment will state: “eating a diet high in fats, sugars, and processed foods increases a person's blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease.”

Watertown Regional Medical Center provides HRAs on topics ranging from cancer and digestive issues to stroke risk. These assessments can help detect possible health problems early and encourage timely intervention so that diseases can be prevented or managed more effectively. The results often prompt individuals to schedule screenings, change lifestyle habits, or seek medical advice.

Assessments can be accessed through the Watertown Regional Medical Center website. Those without a primary care provider can also find one through resources provided on the site.

“Google is great for a lot of things, delivering everything from trivia answers to ‘how-to’ videos to a list of local restaurants open after midnight. But trust your health to the experts – find the pertinent healthcare information and resources you need at WatertownRegional.com!”