Eat More Greens

I am reminded by Leg Iron of the impending health MOTs for us old fogies; that is everyone in England aged between 40 and 74.

From April, everyone aged between 40-74 in England will begin to be invited for a free health check to help reduce deaths from diseases such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes and kidney disease. These illnesses are responsible for a fifth of all hospital admissions and affect four million people across the UK.

Hmmm… So what does this involve (as if we couldn’t figure it out)?

The checks are part of an effort to make sure people aged between 40-74 have the information they need about their health in order to make important lifestyle changes and reduce their risk of developing diseases like diabetes and coronary heart disease.

The checks are part of the drive towards a more preventative NHS.

I am reminded of another story recently along these lines; that of preventative medication.

A new five-in-one pill can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in even healthy patients and could save tens of thousands of lives a year, a study suggests.

…

The medication contains a combination of aspirin, three blood pressure-lowering drugs, and a statin, the cholesterol-busting drugs that have been hailed as a breakthrough in the treatment of heart disease.

Ah, yes, statins. There was talk a couple of years ago regarding medicating us with these – just in case. Do I detect a hint of obsession here? I’m sorry (no, I’m not) but I take medication when I am ill, not when I am healthy in order to prevent me becoming ill.

I saw a comment on the Times’ coverage (Simon from Macclesfield) on of all of this and it struck me as pretty much spot on:

I don’t smoke and take regular exercise. My weight is in proportion to my height and my blood pressure is normal, ergo I must be a “low risk” patient. So I will be given advice on a healthy lifestyle. Why? I have one, that’s why I’m low risk Alan …..

I’m approaching 51, am the right height for my weight (or is it the other way around?), my blood pressure is normal and I exercise moderately. So… What advice will I be given? Give up smoking? I don’t smoke. Drink less alcohol? I’m teetotal. Eat more greens, then…

So, that’s it. Over 300 million smackeroonies of our tax pounds on advising me on something that I already know. And as I already know, there’s no need for an appointment, is there?

Oh, yeah, I live in France now, so it won’t apply to me. Good luck to you on the other side of the channel.