Evidence Base. The Department of Health proposed the NHS Health Check programme, based on the evidence and cost benefit presented in the Impact Assessment2 document. Modelling work3 undertaken by the Department of Health (DH) found that offering an NHS Health Check to people between the ages of 40 and 74 and recalling them every five years was both clinically and cost effective. Cardiovascular Disease, which includes heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease are the biggest causes of death in the UK. The national Health Checks programme could on average: • Prevent 1,600 heart attacks and strokes • Prevent at least 650 premature deaths • Identify over 4,000 new cases of diabetes each year. • Detect at least 20,000 cases of diabetes or kidney disease earlier, allowing individuals to be better managed to improve their quality of life. NICE guidance is available for some of the components of the health check and on interventions in associated referral pathways following the health check e.g. physical activity and smoking cessation. Public Health England has produced a briefing outlining the evidence base supporting the mandated NHS Health Check programme4.
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