CUMBRIA is said in a report by Diabetes UK to be ‘punching above its weight’ over the number of free health checks being given to people aged 40 to 74.
Coun Patricia Bell, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for public health and communities, said they were key to challenging conditions like diabetes as early as possible.
Cumbria fares well in comparison with the rest of the country with its health check numbers. In Cumbria 8.1 per cent of the eligible population received a free health check.
MORE TOP STORIES: This equates to 13,574 people out of 167,367 that were eligible.Nationally the average was 6.4 per cent, and in the north west the average was seven per cent.
The checks, which are delivered through GP surgeries and selected pharmacies, check for the early signs of heart disease, strokes, vascular damage, chronic kidney disease, as well as diabetes.
"This is good news but we're not being complacent,” said Coun Bell. “Diabetes is a serious condition and these free health checks can make a real difference to people's lives. I would encourage anyone who is invited for a health check to take up the offer.
"It's clear that the more people have these health checks, the more issues can be dealt with at an early stage.”
Anyone in the 40 to 74 age bracket that would like a free health check should visit a participating pharmacy or contact their GP for more information.
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