Impact of Health Checks provided by local authorities on individuals
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of local authority provided Health Checks on individuals in the community
IRAS ID
165087
Contact name
Louise Miller
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester Metropolitan University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
NHS Health Checks are a screening programme designed to identify risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 40-74 year olds. The Health Check includes medical history assessment; blood tests for glucose and cholesterol; height and weight measurement; blood pressure assessment and calculation of CVD risk score.
Screening programmes often receive praise and criticism – NHS Health Checks have been condemned as a ‘waste of time’ and a cause of unnecessary worry.
Local authorities (LAs) have become responsible for public health services. Some LAs provide mobile Health Checks through their health service, using a ‘health bus’. The health bus travels to different locations whereupon staff provide Health Checks to the eligible population using Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) technology for the blood tests involved. POCT is pathology testing performed outside a laboratory, often using transportable devices that provide results in minutes.
The primary aim is to assess the short-term impact of the local authority provided Health Checks on the target population of 40-74 year olds.
Participants will be recruited whilst on site for a Health Check and the results of their Check will be recorded. They will also complete a questionnaire designed to assess: wellbeing; health behaviours (e.g. how often they exercise); understanding of their Health Check results and satisfaction with the service.
The participant will be invited for a 3-month follow-up Health Check session and asked to complete the questionnaire again. Some will be asked to participate in a semi-structured interview. Results of these assessments will be compared to see there has been any change over time. The questionnaire and semi-structured interview could give reason for changes seen. For example, a decrease in blood pressure could be seen when a participant reports that they have stopped smoking.
Other aims include assessment of satisfaction with the service and to identify trends in health behaviour.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/1410
Date of REC Opinion
3 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion