Behaviour change as a result of genetic disease risk testing

Rationale: With a rapidly ageing population it is essential to consolidate efforts to prevent disease from occurring in order to reduce the burden on the health care system and economy. Health Potential could contribute to this. Health Potential is a service that provides information on personal disease risks followed by lifestyle advice for 21 preventable common chronic diseases, based on an individual’s genetic background, lifestyle, medical history, occupational history and other characteristics. This information, which is delivered to the client in a face-to-face meeting, can be used to direct lifestyle decision making.



Objective: The primary objective is to study the effect of Health Potential to change behaviour and intention to change behaviour. The secondary study objectives are (1) to study the effect of Health Potential to change determinants of behaviour change and (2) to study characteristics of the Health Potential customers. The hypothesis is that receiving Health Potential, in combination with a standard health check (i.e. the Stofberg Health Check), will lead to better lifestyle choices when compared to receiving the standard health check alone.



Study design: The full Leef!-study consists of two integrated designs: (1) a two-armed non- randomised controlled pre-test/post-test trial (part A), followed by (2) a two-armed randomised controlled pre-test/post-test trial among participants in the exposed condition of part A for whom consent is obtained (part B). This registration refers only to Leef!-study part A.



Study population and exposures: Clients purchasing a personalised health check, consisting of Health Potential and a current health check, are considered the exposed group, and will be compared to clients purchasing a current health check only.



Primary study parameters: The primary outcome parameter is stage of behaviour change.

The is that receiving Health Potential, in combination with a current health status check, the Stofberg Health Check, will lead to greater improvements in behaviour change compared to receiving the Stofberg Health Check only.

Outcome parameters are measured at t=-6w (baseline), t=0, t=1w, t=4w, t=12w, t=6m, and t=1y.

The studied service is the genetic disease prevention service Health Potential. This service will estimate a personal disease risk of a carefully selected list of 12 preventable common chronic diseases that have both a genetic and a lifestyle component of development. Participants purchasing Personalised Health Check (Health Potential + current health check) are considered the exposed group; participants purchasing the current health check only are considered the control group.