Free Health Checks for Men This International Men’s Day
Oxfordshire County Council urges men to get free NHS health checks.
Following this year’s International Men’s Day, men over 40 in Oxfordshire are encouraged to take up a free health check from the NHS, funded by Oxfordshire County Council.
Anyone between the ages of 40 and 74 is eligible for the health check, and will be invited to take part once every five years. Since 2019, 67,328 Oxfordshire residents have already had one of these checks, however it is known that men are more likely to delay seeing a GP.
Councillor Nathan Ley, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Inequalities and Community Safety, explained that the checks are a great way for people to “get an overview of their general health and are a fast, effective method of finding out if there are some simple things they could be doing to improve their long-term health and wellbeing.”
Speaking on International Men’s Day, Councillor Ley added that “We know that men are more likely to put off seeing a doctor, and this can have a real impact on our health. That’s why, this International Men’s Day, we’re making an extra special effort to encourage men to get booked in for an NHS health check. It’s quick and easy, and a great way to detect potential issues and get help with them before they become serious.”
Taking approximately 30 minutes, the health check is intended to lower a patient’s risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and some types of dementia.
To find out more about the NHS health checks, please visit the NHS website.