A free match-day ‘health check’ service for fans attending the LV County Championship game on 6th July between Sussex CCC and Northamptonshire CCC at the BrightonandHoveJob.com Ground 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, and will be available from 11.00am until the end of the tea interval, situated in the ‘Boundaries For Life’ boxes on the west side of ground. All participants will be given simple healthy lifestyle advice, and if necessary, a referral letter to their doctor or dentist for follow up. Those taking part on the day will also go into a draw to win a signed Sussex CCC bat.
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 has run at selected professional cricket matches since 2011, and last year featured at the Investec Ashes game held at Kia Oval, and the England v Australia ODI held at Emirates Old Trafford where over 50 fans were screened on the day.
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 grounds are supporting the Boundaries For Life health check events over the course of the 2014 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.”
Referring to the benefits of this new initiative Dr Chet Trivedy, medical 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 symptoms associated with chronic diseases.”
Time: 11.00am until end of tea interval
Location: ‘Boundaries For Life’ boxes, west side of ground
Photos of previous health checks from 2013 and Boundaries For Life logo available on request
For any further information please contact:
Matthew Philpott (media contact) - 07826 533013; matthew.philpott@healthystadia.eu
Dr Chet Trivedy (medical contact) – 07540 853709; ctrivedy@googlemail.com