ALMOST 90per cent of eligible over-40s in Lancashire had a health check in the past year, but Public Health Minister Jane Ellison wants more people to take up the offer and catch health problems early.

NHS Health Check is an England-wide risk assessment, and prevention, programme designed to identify people at risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, or kidney disease, and offer support to avoid, reduce, or manage their risk of developing future problems.

It is targeted at men and women aged 40- to 74 who have not been diagnosed with an existing vascular disease, or are being treated for certain risk factors. Since April 2013, it has included two additional elements: an alcohol risk assessment and, for people aged 65 to 74 only, awareness-raising on dementia.