Over 150,000 residents benefit from vital health checks
Vital 5 health checks are helping people across south east London to take control of their health, focussing on five areas that make the biggest difference to long-term wellbeing: blood pressure, weight, alcohol consumption, smoking, and mental health.
More than 150,000 checks have now been delivered in hospital clinics and community settings such as pharmacies; health kiosks in libraries and leisure centres; and local outreach events.
Vital 5 checks are designed to help prevent serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease by identifying risks early and supporting healthier choices.
The checks are free and convenient, taking just 5 – 30 minutes. Residents are given a clear picture of their health, personalised advice on making positive changes, and information about local services for further support.
Reaching residents who need support most has been a key priority. In south east London, those living in the most deprived areas often experience worse health and shorter lives than those in wealthier areas – the gap in healthy life expectancy between the most and least advantaged boroughs is more than 10 years. So far, 37% of checks have been delivered to residents in the most deprived areas, helping to close this gap and ensure more people get the support they need.
One south east London resident shared their experience:
“As a result of having the Vital 5 health check, I feel more confident in making changes to my diet and introducing exercise to my daily routine. The health champion undertaking the check was very informative and explained things sensitively.
“She used resources and visual aids to show me the number of alcohol units I’m consuming, and took time to talk about services available to me after the check, especially for mental health. I would recommend this health check to family and friends.”
See where Vital 5 Checks are available near you and join thousands already taking control of their health: www.selondonics.org/our-residents/your-health/living-well/vital-5