New report shows lifesaving benefits of NHS Health Check

A new study has highlighted the lifesaving and quality-of-life benefits offered by the NHS Health Check programme.

The University of Cambridge study used a model to estimate the benefits of the current programme, compared to the level of performance that would be expected if the Health Checks were not available.

Introduced in 2009 in England for adults aged 40 to 74 years without preexisting diabetes or cardiovascular disease, the Health Check scheme offers structured vascular risk assessments, with at-risk individuals offered appropriate treatment.

The new study estimated that for every million people aged 40 to 45 years who received the Health Check, around 390 premature deaths before the age of 80 can be prevented, while an additional 1,370 are able to live free of ischaemic heart disease, stroke, dementia and lung cancer.

These numbers correspond to 300 fewer premature deaths and 1,000 more people living free of these diseases in England each year, with the benefits estimated to be greatest for the most deprived areas.

The authors concluded: "Our work suggests that the current NHS Health Check Programme is contributing to improvements in population health and reducing health inequalities, and importantly it is adding life to years, rather than just adding years to life."

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