NHS Health Checks

NHS Health Checks

NHS Health Checks

A huge selection of lives could be saved every year if more people took advantage of NHS health checks, the Secretary states.

A new review found that checking 40 to 74-year-olds' hypertension, cholesterol, weight and lifestyle could identify problems earlier preventing 650 deaths, 1,600 strokes and 4,000 cases of diabetes annually.

Jeremy Hunt said contemplating personal health in an initial phase is vital to living a protracted and prosperous life.

Before local authorities took control of responsibility for commissioning the checks in April, there was clearly considerable variation in how widely these were offered.

New Public Health England, leading the NHS Health Check program, has launched a 10-point want to help councils provide these phones 20% of their eligible local population 12 months - 15 million people by 2018/19.

Mr Hunt said: "Around 15 million folks England is eligible for a free NHS Health Make certain could identify serious conditions early and add many years to their life.

"I'd enjoy travelling to all 40-74 year olds trying out this potentially life-saving opportunity. And I'd enjoy seeing the NHS and local authorities encouraging individuals their place to become involved. We will save 650 lives a year if there was full take-up.

"We are an ageing population and thinking about our health and wellbeing early is critical to living a long and prosperous life."

Director of health and wellbeing for Public Health England, Professor Kevin Fenton, said: "NHS Health Check program comes with a real possibility to reduce avoidable deaths and disability, and tackle health inequalities in England.

"We should do more to increase uptake and referral to appropriate risk management services, specifically in those communities at greatest risk, to eliminate blocks in processes that get in the way and be sure the programme is of consistent high quality in the united states.