Vhi Celebrates Milestone 50,000 Free Self-service Health Checks

Vhi has released new health and wellbeing insights generated from 50,000 free self-service health checks over a two-year period.

The on-the-spot health assessment stations provided at workplaces and other sites across the country, in partnership with Sisu Health, measure blood pressure, body mass index, and perceived stress, as well as screening for diabetes and cardiovascular risks. Participating users can subsequently benefit from lifestyle advice on a range of health issues through an integrated portal, with signposting provided to GPs in cases of identified health risks.

Since the re-introduction of the Vhi health checks scheme in September 2022, over 40,000 members of Vhi corporate health schemes have actively monitored their health and wellbeing using the mobile self-service health stations, which visited 540 workplace locations and sites nationwide.

Since the introduction of the health check stations that more than 9,000 people were recommended to contact their GP following a health assessment. These referrals encourage early intervention in cases of health risk and help to reduce the likelihood of developing chronic illness. More than half of those who used the health stations (21,000) had not received a blood pressure check in the past 12 months prior to screening, with 14.3% of those assessed recording high blood pressure.

Other insights include:

—  16% of all participants recorded high blood pressure, with 49% of all men measuring ‘at risk’ to high.
—  2002 Health checks triggered a ‘GP call to action’ for high blood pressure (140/90) and or high BMI (35+).
—  16% of participants indicated that they are a smoker, a little under the 18% national average as published by the HSE.

Professor Charlie Foster, Head of Population Health, Vhi, said: “Investing in the health and wellbeing of employees is crucial in building happier and healthier workplaces. That’s why we’re delighted to reach this major milestone in the use of our health check services.

Encouraging team employees and members to actively monitor and look after their health through regular checks can drastically reduce the risk of developing chronic illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease. Benefits are also seen by employers who see happier, healthier and stronger employees alongside real costs savings in reductions in the impacts of smoking and poor mental health.

“By providing quick and easy access to health checks in workplaces and other sites around the country, we’re empowering members to identify and address health risks early on and help them to achieve better health outcomes. This is one of the many ways in which Vhi is driving innovation in how healthcare is delivered and helping our members live longer, stronger and happier lives.”

Jez Styles, Director of Growth, SisU Health, said: “We are delighted to have reached this milestone through our partnership with Vhi. Given the increasing burden of chronic cardiovascular and metabolic health conditions on global healthcare systems, it is important that new technology should be accessible, convenient and deployed strategically. SiSU believes that people should be able to access health checks in places where they live their lives, with workplaces presenting a prime opportunity for Vhi’s members to identify developing or undiagnosed conditions.”

Vhi provides an extensive range of corporate health and wellness services to support healthier and more productive workforces. Corporate health programmes can be tailor designed to ensure the evolving needs of employees are met and include access to mental health supports and holistic wellness programmes focusing on resilience, sleep, nutrition and movement.

For more information on Vhi’s corporate health and wellbeing services, please visit www.vhi.ie/employers.