A new pilot programme will see employers offer comprehensive cardiovascular disease (CVD) health checks to their staff, helping to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease.
Shropshire council has been awarded £68,000 to deliver CVD health checks in workplaces across the county, as part of a £7 million government-funded pilot programme. The council will work with local employers to offer quick and easy checks that can detect people at higher risk of a range of diseases and help them to access effective treatment or take preventative action.
CVD is a leading cause of death and disability in England, accounting for almost 1 in 4 deaths in 2022. However, 80% of CVD is preventable, and the NHS Health Check programme is England’s flagship CVD prevention programme. It aims to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease, and some cases of dementia among adults aged 40-74.
Every year, the NHS Health Check programme engages over 1.3 million people in England and prevents an estimated 300 premature deaths. However, many people are not completing these checks. Over 16 million people are eligible for an NHS Health Check every five years, but the latest data suggests that only 39.9% of those offered a check completed one. For example, men are less likely to get early help but are more likely to develop CVD at an earlier age.
That is why the government is making it easier and more convenient for people to access these life-saving checks. More than 100,000 people will receive CVD checks in their workplaces as part of this programme, helping to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease, as well as some cases of dementia.
Employers from a range of industries will take part in the programme including those from the building sector, hospitality and transport sectors and the social care sector. The pilot will also gather evidence on the feasibility and impact of workplace CVD checks and encourage employers to support people to stay well in work.
Shropshire council is one of 48 local authorities across England that will be participating in this pilot, which will run from September 2024 to March 2025. The council will aim to deliver 850 mini health checks and 500 full health checks.
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