HONU Score Online
What is the HONU Lifestyle Score?
A “risk factor” is something that you puts you at risk for chronic disease or a heart attack. There are certain risk factors that you cannot change, such as your age and gender. However, you can improve other risk factors that are lifestyle-related, such as whether you use tobacco and whether or not you are physically active.
Your Heart of New Ulm Lifestyle Score (HONU Score) is a reflection of your lifestyle behavior choices. The higher your score, the better. A higher HONU Score means you are making healthy lifestyle choices and as a result, are likely to be healthier overall. According to the World Health Organization, unhealthy choices in the lifestyle areas measured by the HONU Score are the cause of most chronic diseases.
Since your HONU Score is based on the lifestyle choices you make every day,
the good news is that you can usually control and improve your score.
How can I check my HONU Lifestyle Score?
Do you know your HONU Score? Whether you have participated in one of the HONU screenings or not, you can calculate your current HONU lifestyle score by answering six simple questions. Remember, the higher your score, the better for your health.
After you complete the brief set of questions to determine your score, you can learn more about your health and how you compare to others. You will get the following information:
- How your score compares to others living in New Ulm
- Your estimated number of life years gained (which means how many years past the age of 75 you may live as a result of your healthy lifestyle choices)
- Your estimated level of workplace productivity lost (which means the percentage of time you lose each year at work because of health issues that cause you to miss work or underperform at work)
Once you know your HONU Score, use this tool periodically to recalculate your score and assess how your lifestyle changes affect your score. You can also choose to set goals, track your progress, and find other resources to improve or maintain your score using some of the tools offered here.
How is the HONU Lifestyle Score calculated?
Your personal HONU Score is calculated from 0 to 10 points based on five lifestyle factors that have a big influence on your overall health:
- Your BMI (Body Mass Index)
- How much tobacco you use
- How much alcohol you drink
- How many fruits and vegetables you eat
- How physically active you are
Use your HONU Score as a simple gauge each year to see how you are improving your health and reducing your risk for a heart attack.
- If your score is less than 10, make a goal to increase it by at least 2 points each year.
- If your score is already a 10, aim to keep yourself there year after year.
Keep it simple, make and maintain steady progress and live a healthier life.
