Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality and disproportionately affects people from socio-economically disadvantaged communities. Opportunistic health checks in community settings are increasingly becoming part of the strategy to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in communities at higher risk.
The community health checks project emerged in response to a community’s experience of negative outcomes from cardiovascular disease. In this collaborative project with VCS (Voluntary and Community Sector) organisations and communities, the Improvement Academy is supporting the delivery of cardiovascular health checks in community settings, in line with the CORE20Plus5 initiative, a national strategy to reduce health inequalities.
Initial community engagement work has focused on understanding of the health needs of the community and awareness work. The health check delivery model has been co-produced in partnership with local community members who have been integral to the project’s work. The initial event in February 2023 reached over 100 participants, many of whom would benefit from interventions to improve their cardiovascular health. Sixty-one percent of participants at the initial event had an abnormal blood pressure and have been referred onward for further investigation.
Evaluation of the health check project utilises the Connected Bradford dataset, which enables pseudonymised follow up of participant outcomes whilst adds to understanding of a potentially underserved community.
The attached infographic summaries some of the initial findings, additional analysis is underway.
