People aged between 40 and 74 in Preston are being offered free health checks in a ground-breaking initiative that could save a life every week in the city.
The NHS Health Check campaign will promote healthy living in areas of the city where people are known to have a higher risk of developing preventable yet sometimes fatal illnesses. Most deaths from circulatory disease in people under 65 are preventable – and this means around 50 lives could be saved in Preston every year through health checks.
Dr Zakyeya Atcha, NHS Central Lancashire consultant in public health medicine, said: "All too often the people most at risk of dying from preventable illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease don’t ask for help before it is too late.
"The check takes between 20 and 30 minutes and 18,371 people in central Lancashire, which includes 4,959 people in Preston, have received an NHS health check so far.
"In the long term health checks can save lives, cut down on the need for expensive treatment later on and ensure that people who are potentially at risk can live full lives without small problems which could develop into much more serious issues later on."
In Preston the death rate from circulatory disease is 16 per cent higher than the England average, and the rate of admissions to hospital for diabetes is 46 per cent higher than the English average. In addition, only 11 per cent of Preston adults take the recommended amount of physical exercise.
Those taking part in the NHS Health Check are asked questions about their family history, medication and details about height, weight, gender, ethnicity and age. Blood pressure is also taken as well as a simple blood test to check cholesterol levels.
NHS Health Checks are available through your GP practice and anyone worried about their health in the meantime should contact their GP in the usual way.
The campaign will be developed throughout the Preston area over the next few years. The checks are likely to be initially offered in GP surgeries.
More information about NHS Heath Checks can be found at www.nhs.uk/planners/nhshealthcheck/Pages/NHSHealthCheck.aspx
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