Free Health Checks For Over 40s

If you’re unaware that you’re at risk of a certain disease or illness, such as a heart attack or stroke, you probably won’t go out of your way to get what you believe would be an unnecessary check-up However, it is important to have regular health check-ups, especially if you’re over 40. Hence, why the NHS introduced the over 40s checks programme.

Yet, it seems that a lot of people haven’t got involved in the scheme.

In fact, only half of those eligible in England get the free checks.

If you weren’t aware already, the checks are offered at least every five years up to the age of 74, used to spot the early signs of conditions such as dementia, diabetes, heart disease, and strokes.

Though these checks are typically done by GPs, local authorities have started to investigate new ways to get people involved.

For example, in Cheshire, firefighters will soon be engaging people about their health and referring them on to services that could help.

Dr Matt Kearney, from NHS England, commented on the matter, saying:

We know that much more can be done in communities across the country to prevent thousands of needless deaths each year due to strokes and heart attacks.

Some parts across the country have already started to use non-traditional ways – and places – to carry out simple health checks, with encouraging results.

Duncan Selbie, chief executive of Public Health England, also added:

We want people to be as familiar with their blood pressure numbers as they are with their credit card PIN or their height.

What do you think? Could these new, innovative ways of getting over 40s to attend a regular check-up work?