Health check results cause concern

MORE than 1,000 people took part in a health screening programme at last week’s National and World Ploughing Championships in Grangeford, Co Carlow.

But the results from the Pfizer Health Check were a matter of concern, according to the company.

Some 10% those screened required same-day emergency medical referral, 45% had raised cholesterol and 39% had raised blood pressure. A further 6% had cardiovascular disease, with 36% claiming to have a family history of the condition.

The Pfizer Rural and Agricultural Health Index, launched at the championships, suggested farmers are more at risk of illness than any other population group in Ireland. Labour-saving devices were cited as a reason for the low levels of exercise reported among farmers. Some 5,000 people received exercise advice and motivation from the Olympic Council of Ireland at the Pfizer tent with the aim of assisting to help reverse this trend.

The index identified low reporting of medical conditions across the sector, which also suggests poor attendance at GPs for diagnosis.

Pfizer said that in order to help reverse the trend, farmers need to become more proactive about their health.

On a more positive note, 82% of farmers have indicated they would be prepared to make changes to their lives to become healthier with 29% willing to be more active or take more exercise.

Another 20% say they would adopt a more balanced diet, 15% would try to reduce their stress levels, 13% would get more sleep, 12% would become more informed about health; 10% would visit their doctor; 9% would give up smoking; 8% would work less and 6% would reduce their alcohol intake.

Pfizer Healthcare Ireland managing director Dave Shanahan said everyone has a right to a good health status but unfortunately inequalities pervade in society, resulting in certain groups such as farmers having a significantly poorer health compared with the overall population.

The intention of the screening programme at the ploughing championships was to help reverse the poor health trends present in the agricultural community.

The Pfizer Health Check, which was designed to help people manage their health, was conducted by more than 20 qualified nurses and a GP.