ANN ARBOR—A pound of cure is just part of the payoff. An ounce of prevention may also ward off disease and add years to your life. But while many of us recognize the benefits of shots, screenings and other preventive health measures, we forget to take advantage of them.

Two studies by the University of Michigan Health Management Research Center suggest that an annual health risk appraisal (HRA) might be just the thing to jog our memories.

HMRC Research Associate Shirley Musich examined the use of preventive services by some 70,000 participants in a national HRA health promotion program offered by General Motors Corporation. One study focused on 9,289 GM employees aged 55 to 64, and the second looked at 59,670 retired GM employees aged 65 and older.

In both studies, participants met or exceeded most of the goals set for use of preventive services by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People 2000 and Healthy People 2010.

“HRA questionnaires have been used for two decades to raise health awareness and promote favorable changes in habits such as diet, exercise, smoking, stress and weight management,” Musich explains. “Little attention has been given to using the HRA to monitor the use of preventive services relative to other risk factors and diseases.”

The HMRC’s health risk appraisal has been expanded to ask participants when they last used preventive services such as flu and tetanus shots, cholesterol and blood pressure screening, and screenings for colon, cervical, prostrate and breast cancer, Musich says.

The HRA questions serve as a reminder to schedule these services. So does the personalized feedback report that follows. Participants receive an assessment of overall health status plus preventive screening guidelines among the recommendations for improvement.

Here are some highlights of the two studies:

In the 55-to-64 age group, participants used preventive services at a higher rate than recommended by Healthy People 2010 for cholesterol screening (90 percent); tetanus immunization (68 percent); and rectal examinations (45 percent). Blood pressure screening (94 percent) was within 1 percent of the goal. Women exceeded breast cancer screening (88 percent) and cervical cancer screening (92 percent). The prostrate screening rate for men was 73 percent. (National goals for prostrate screening were not designated at the time of the study.)

In the 65 and older group, participants used preventive services at a higher rate than the national average and exceeded the government’s goals except for tetanus immunization.

For both age groups, the highest use of preventive services was among low-risk participants. “In other words, healthier people were more likely to take advantage of services aimed at maintaining good health,” Musich says.

However, people with existing diseases were also more likely to use those specific preventive services most closely related with their disease: for example, those with heart disease were more likely to obtain blood pressure and cholesterol screening, and those with cancer sought cancer screenings. People with any disease were more likely to get flu shots.

Employees enrolled in HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) insurance plans had significantly higher use of preventive services than those in indemnity/PPO (Preferred Provider Organization).

“Successful aging depends on many factors, but the use of preventive services has been associated with improved health status, lower medical costs, decreased hospitalization and death rates,” Musich says.

“The HRA serves a valuable purpose in monitoring and promoting the use of preventive services, particularly in these older populations. It is an important strategy for the early detection of disease, minimizing premature disability and maximizing good health.”