At a glance
Preventive Plus (v1) contains eight questions covering weight, height, vegetable intake, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, fruit intake and a chronic-condition checklist.
Results comprise six binary indicators and a count of selected chronic conditions. There is no meaningful combined overall score.
What does the questionnaire measure?
Self-reported lifestyle factors and health conditions support primary-care discussion. A flag means a configured rule is met, not a diagnosis or a measure of overall health risk.
How are results scored?
Preventive Plus (v1) uses the rules below. Answer weights are response codes, not numbers of serves or drinks.
| Subscale | Configured condition for a score of 1 |
|---|---|
| Smoker | Answer weight greater than 2: daily or occasional smoking. |
| Inadequate exercise | Answer weight equals 0: the respondent selects that none of the listed activity options was achieved. |
| Vegetable Intake Inadequate | Answer weight at most 3: any option other than six or more serves daily. |
| Fruit Intake Inadequate | Answer weight below 3: any option other than two or more serves daily. |
| Excess Alcohol | Answer weight equals 2: more than two standard drinks on a drinking day. |
| Overweight / Obese | Calculated BMI greater than 25, using weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. The stored rule uses strictly greater than 25. |
For these six indicators, 1 means the configured condition is met and 0 means it is not met, provided the input is valid. These are screening flags, not severity scores. A zero does not establish absence of health risk.
The Chronic Disease Score counts selected conditions, each weighted 1, from 0 to 10. The listed categories are mental and behavioural conditions; back problems; arthritis; asthma; diabetes mellitus; heart, stroke and vascular disease; osteoporosis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; cancer; and kidney disease. “None” contributes zero. A separate risk flag is true when the count is greater than zero.
The count represents selected checklist categories, not disease severity or the total number of individual diagnoses. Because the question asks about conditions the person has or has ever had, confirm which remain active. If “None” and a condition are both selected, clarify the contradictory response.
References support follow-up discussions, not validation of this questionnaire or confirmation that its thresholds match current recommendations for every patient.
Missing or invalid responses
BMI requires valid numeric height and weight. Missing, non-numeric or implausible measurements require clarification; an unassessable BMI must not be interpreted as a reassuring negative result, even if a displayed flag is zero.
Interpreting change over time
Review the underlying answers alongside changes in flags. A binary flag can remain unchanged despite a meaningful change in behaviour. A changed chronic-condition count may reflect reporting differences or clarification of past conditions, rather than a change in current illness burden.
The condition count has no severity bands specified here. Colour in a report is a presentation aid and does not establish clinical severity or urgency.
Suggested next steps
These clinician discussion prompts include non-exclusive support examples, not eHealthier endorsements. Select support with the patient based on needs, preferences, availability and eligibility.
Smoking
Assess readiness to quit and nicotine dependence. Discuss cessation support, suitable medication options and follow-up. Explore whether app or telephone support would help. Examples include My QuitBuddy and Quitline, 13 78 48.
Source: RACGP SNAP guidance, smoking section.
Physical activity
Explore barriers and physical limitations. Agree on an achievable activity goal; consider exercise support. An example tracking tool is 10,000 Steps; its name is not an individual activity prescription.
Source: RACGP SNAP guidance, physical activity section.
Vegetable intake
Confirm intake and explore barriers. Agree on a practical dietary change and consider dietitian support. Coaching examples include Get Healthy Service, available free to NSW residents aged 16 and over.
Source: RACGP SNAP guidance, nutrition section.
Fruit intake
Confirm intake and discuss practical ways to include whole fruit. Coaching examples include Get Healthy Service, subject to NSW eligibility.
Source: RACGP SNAP guidance, nutrition section.
Alcohol
Clarify frequency, weekly intake and heavier drinking occasions. Consider AUDIT-C and assess dependence where indicated. Support examples include Counselling Online and the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline, 1800 250 015.
Source: RACGP SNAP guidance, alcohol section. This 2015 source supports the assessment approach; its numerical drinking limits should not be treated as current guidance.
Overweight / obesity
Confirm measurements. With permission, discuss weight-related concerns, patient goals and support. Coaching examples include Get Healthy Service, subject to NSW eligibility.
Source: RACGP SNAP guidance, overweight and obesity section.
Chronic conditions
Confirm which reported conditions remain active, review current management and unmet needs, and agree on priorities with the patient. Consider coordinated care planning where appropriate. Support resources should relate to the actual conditions and patient preferences, rather than the checklist count alone.
Source: Australian Government: Managing chronic conditions.
References
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Smoking, nutrition, alcohol, physical activity (SNAP): A population health guide to behavioural risk factors in general practice. Second edition, 2015.
- Australian Government. Managing chronic conditions.
- Australian Government. My QuitBuddy app.
- Australian Government. Quit / Quitline.
- CQUniversity. 10,000 Steps.
- NSW Government. Get Healthy Service.
- Australian Government. Counselling Online.
- Australian Government. National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline.