Effectiveness of a national cardiovascular disease risk assessment program (NHS Health Check): results after one year.

Journal article

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess whether the National Health Service (NHS) Health Check, a systematic cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and management program, was associated with reduction in CVD risk in attendees after one year. METHODS: We extracted data from patients aged 40-74 years, with high estimated CVD risk, who were registered with general practices in a deprived, culturally diverse setting in England. We included 4748 patients at baseline (July 2008-November 2009), with 3712 at follow-up (December 2009-March 2011). We used a pre-post study design to assess changes in global CVD risk, individual CVD risk factors and statin prescription in patients with a complete and partial Health Check. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in mean CVD risk score (28.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI)=27.3-29.1 to 26.2%; 95% CI, 25.4-27.1), diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol levels and lipid ratios after one year in patients with a complete Health Check. Statin prescription increased from 14.0% (95% CI=11.9-16.0) to 60.6% (95% CI=57.7-63.5). CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of NHS Health Check was associated with significant but modest reductions in CVD risk among screened high-risk individuals. Further cost-effectiveness analysis and work accounting for uptake is required to assess whether the program can make significant changes to population health.

Authors: Artac, M; Dalton, A; Majeed, A; Car, J; Millett, C

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Preventive medicine
• Volume: 57
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 129-134
• Publication date: 2013-08-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.05.002
• EISSN: 1096-0260
• ISSN: 0091-7435
• Language: English
• Keywords: Program Evaluation; Male; Aged; Adult; Disease Management; England; Middle Aged; Risk Assessment; National Health Programs; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; State Medicine; Female; Humans; Cardiovascular Diseases