UK government introduced a life-saving health check programme

Over 130,000 people across the UK will benefit from a new government initiative launched on August 30th, offering life-saving health checks in workplaces. These checks, designed to identify risks for diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease, will be quick and convenient for employees, and assess each person's cardiovascular risk.

Employers in various sectors, including construction, hospitality, transport, and social care, will participate in the program. This initiative aligns with the government's goal of improving national health to drive economic growth.

By providing these checks at work, the program will save thousands of NHS hours and help reduce waiting lists. Currently, only 40% of the 16 million people eligible for NHS Health Checks complete them, especially men, who are at higher risk for early cardiovascular disease. A new digital version, to be tested in 2025, will further expand accessibility via the NHS App, with pilot programs in Norfolk, Medway, and Lambeth.