A preventive health screening program in England, part of the National Health Service, announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in January 2008, which invites adults aged 40 to 74 for a check every five years to screen for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease, conditions the program's own figures link to 6.2 million cases, 200,000 deaths a year and a fifth of all hospital admissions in England. Local authorities commission the program, and checks are most commonly delivered by general practitioners, with community outreach and pharmacy providers also offering them. Uptake among those invited averaged 46.5 percent between 2016 and 2021, though earlier 2016 data showed lower attendance among specific age groups, only 20 percent for ages 60 to 74 and 9 percent for ages 40 to 59.
Facts
Launch YearSourced to the subject's own account Program StatusSourced to the subject's own account Sponsoring BodySourced to the subject's own accountNational Health Service (NHS) 1 Target PopulationSourced to the subject's own accountAdults aged 40 to 74 in England 1 Health GoalSourced to the subject's own accountScreen for heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke 1 Geographic ScopeSourced to the subject's own account Measured ResultsSourced to the subject's own accountA 2016 analysis found the check reduced the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease by 0.21 percent, equivalent to one stroke or heart attack avoided each year for every 4,762 people who attend 1 Program status (class)Sourced to the subject's own account Classification
Program KindSourced to the subject's own account Connections
Associated With
NHS-run cardiovascular risk-assessment program
Sources
1. Wikipedia: NHS Health Check
WikipediaHistory section, Gordon Brown announcement
In January 2008, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that preventive healthcare was planned to be offered throughout England to "monitor for heart disease, strokes, diabetes and kidney disease-conditions which affect the lives of 6.2 million people, cause 200,000 deaths each year and account for a fifth of all hospital admissions."
Introduction, first sentence (provider)
The NHS Health Check is a preventive healthcare programme in the United Kingdom offered by National Health Service.
Introduction, second sentence (age range)
The programme invites adults aged between 40 and 74 in England for a health check-up every five years to screen for key conditions including heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke.
Introduction, second sentence (jurisdiction)
The programme invites adults aged between 40 and 74 in England for a health check-up every five years to screen for key conditions including heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke.
Introduction, second sentence (conditions screened)
The programme invites adults aged between 40 and 74 in England for a health check-up every five years to screen for key conditions including heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke.
Impact section, 2016 finding
In May 2016 researchers concluded that the checkup reduced the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease by 0.21%, equivalent to one stroke or heart attack avoided every year for 4,762 people who attend.
Impact section, 2026 finding
In 2026 it was reported that there was a 32% reduction in risk of death for patients in a diverse UK urban population who had attended at least one NHS Health Check.
Attendance section, uptake rate
In the five years from 2016 to 2021, the average uptake of an NHS Health Check following an invite was 46.5%.
- Wikipedia 'NHS Health Check': 'is a preventive healthcare programme...offered by National Health Service'; checked 2026-09-27.
Program classification, entity description sentence
A preventive health screening program in England, part of the National Health Service, announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in January 2008, which invites adults aged 40 to 74 for a check every five years to screen for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease, conditions the program's own figures link to 6.2 million cases, 200,000 deaths a year and a fifth of all hospital admissions in England.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.