Title: Evaluation of the NHS Health Checks programme
Funder: Department of Health and Social Care

Abstract: This study will be one of the first major evaluations of the NHS Health Checks programme designed to reduce heart attacks and stroke. In a local study in three east London Boroughs (pop 800,000) and in a national study based on 4 million people in the national QResearch database we will access GP records to determine the following. Uptake of the NHS health Checks programme and variation by age, gender, ethnic group and deprivation to see if the Checks are accessible and equitably provided. Views of providers on implementing the Checks (east London study). The extent to which the Checks identify people who are at low, medium and high risk of heart attack or stroke using a high quality ‘risk score’ to predict these risks. The extent to which people at high risk (a greater than 1 in 5 chance of a heart attack or stroke in 10 years) are treated with statins or for high blood pressure. New diagnoses of diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease as a result of the Checks – and the extent to which risk factors - smoking, positive family history of early heart disease, obesity, pre-diabetes, lack of physical activity and excess alcohol consumption – are identified and referred for support. In the national study we will assess whether those at high risk in the Health Check, have reduced numbers of heart attacks and stroke in comparison both to those who do not attend Checks. In addition we will compare outcomes in high risk attenders who do and do not take up treatment with statins.

Lay abstract: This study will be one of the first major evaluations of the NHS Health Checks programme designed to reduce heart attacks and stroke. In a local study in three east London Boroughs (pop 800,000) and in a national study based on 4 million people in the national QResearch database we will access GP records to determine the following. Uptake of the NHS health Checks programme and variation by age, gender, ethnic group and deprivation to see if the Checks are accessible and equitably provided. Views of providers on implementing the Checks (east London study). The extent to which the Checks identify people who are at low, medium and high risk of heart attack or stroke using a high quality ‘risk score’ to predict these risks. The extent to which people at high risk (a greater than 1 in 5 chance of a heart attack or stroke in 10 years) are treated with statins or for high blood pressure. New diagnoses of diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease as a result of the Checks – and the extent to which risk factors - smoking, positive family history of early heart disease, obesity, pre-diabetes, lack of physical activity and excess alcohol consumption – are identified and referred for support. In the national study we will assess whether those at high risk in the Health Check, have reduced numbers of heart attacks and stroke in comparison both to those who do not attend Checks. In addition we will compare outcomes in high risk attenders who do and do not take up treatment with statins.

Research activity codes: 4.4 POPULATION SCREENING
Health categories: ORAL AND GASTROINTESTINAL;METABOLIC AND ENDOCRINE;STROKE;CARDIOVASCULAR;CANCER AND NEOPLASMS