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NHS Health Checks - Targeted Community Screening in Birmingham
Targeted Community Screening
Background
The difference between male life expectancy in Birmingham and other comparable cities in England is high. Whilst public health data suggested that the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) was much higher in the more affluent areas on the fringes of Birmingham, the mortality rates from CVD were higher in the inner city areas, indicting tht people in these areas were not being diagnosed and treated as effectively. Initial data from 119 practices across the city showed that in the most deprived wards, over 52,000 men over the age of 40 were not on the disease register and had no relevant tests on record. This group was identified as a target for a pro-active screening programme to improve life expectancy and address one of the major health inequalities issues in the Birmingham area.
The Scheme
As an adjunct to the pharmacy-based ‘Heart MOT’ scheme, and to provide a similar service outside of the community pharmacy setting, Birmingham Health and Wellbeing Partnership (BWHP) commissioned a cardiovascular checks service targeting men over the age of 40 in the 11 most deprived wards in Birmingham.
