Fans Check-in for Health 'MOT' at Warwickshire Bears YB40 Match
A free match-day ‘health check’ service for fans attending the Warwickshire Bears V The Netherlands YB40 game this Sunday is expected to save lives through early detection of major killers such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and oral cancer.
The health promotion intervention, called Boundaries for Life, will give fans over the age of 35 the chance to undergo a free health screening process - similar to a car’s annual MOT check - that will measure blood pressure, body mass index and cholesterol levels, all key indicators relating to chronic diseases. The checks are only 15-20 minutes long, whilst participants will also be given the opportunity to see a dentist who will perform a basic mouth screen looking for signs of mouth damage associated with potentially cancerous conditions. All participants will be given simple healthy lifestyle advice, and if necessary, a referral letter to their doctor or dentist for follow up.
Referring to the benefits of this new initiative Dr Chet Trivedy, clinical lead for Boundaries for Life, commented: “Given that men in their 30’s and 40’s are particularly poor at presenting early symptoms of diseases to their GP, and with limitations on access to dental services, the availability of free health and dental checks in the relaxed atmosphere of a sporting event is a valuable resource in the early detection of killers such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases and oral cancer.”
The Boundaries for Life initiative has been devised by a small consortium of health and sports stadia professionals, with the screening service provided by a team of volunteer doctors, dentists and nurses. The health check service will also run at the England V Australia Ashes fixture at the Kia Oval on 23rd August, England V Australia ODI at Emirates OId Trafford on 8th September, and at the YB40 Final at Lord’s on 21st September (TBC).
Mike Gatting, former England cricket captain and current Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships for the ECB, comments: “I am delighted that a number of our county clubs and grounds are supporting the Boundaries For Life health check events over the course of the 2013 cricket season. These screening initiatives are a great way to reach out to fans that can’t easily access health services due to time and work pressures. They highlight an important role our clubs can play in educating and screening against diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mouth cancer.”