Published Sunday, 16 November, 2008 at 02:50 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS - KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
Free blood pressure checks will be available in local pharmacies early next year, as part of the Bligh Government’s commitment to making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people.
Premier Anna Bligh said the $2.6 million commitment meant that from February next year up to 300 pharmacies across the State would offer free checks as part of the Know Your Numbers program – an initiative of the National Stroke Foundation and Pharmacy Guild.
“Having your blood pressure checked by your local pharmacist is a quick, simple and cost-effective way to alert you to potential health problems,” Ms Bligh said.
“It could also save your life, with high blood pressure increasing the chances of heart disease, stroke and vascular disease.
“In the first 12 months of the three-year program we expect about 50,000 Queenslanders to have their blood pressure checked by their pharmacist, growing to 120,000 checks by 2011 when it is fully rolled out to up to 600 pharmacies.
“When the stations are operational, anyone visiting the pharmacist will have access to the free blood pressure check. If their pharmacist is concerned about the reading, they will recommend a visit to a General Practitioner.
“With the recommendation that adult Queenslanders should be getting their blood pressure checked at least every two years - more if they are overweight, a smoker or are not physically active - this is a convenient way to know your numbers,” she said.
Ms Bligh said Victoria recently ran a trial of a similar project and of the 4000 people checked, a third were encouraged to seek further medical advice from their GP.
The Health of Queenslanders 2008 report released on Friday highlighted that high blood pressure accounts for an estimated 6.6 percent of the total burden of disease and injury in the state.
‘‘This program will help us achieve our Toward Q2 vision of making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people by 2020, and is a great example of government, the community sector and business working together to improve the health of our State,” Ms Bligh said.
The three year initiative is funded as part of the Queensland Strategy for Chronic Disease 2005-2015.
National Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Erin Lalor said nearly all adult Australians have at least one of the risk factors that put them at risk of cardiovascular disease.
”High blood pressure affects millions of Australians over the age of 25, many of whom are not aware they have high blood pressure or do not necessarily manage their hypertension well,” Dr Lalor said.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President Kos Sclavos said pharmacists were pleased to participate in such an important initiative.
”The aim of such a campaign is for people to be aware of the importance of regular blood pressure checks and the consequences of high blood pressure including stroke and cardiovascular disease,” Mr Sclavos said.
For more information visit www.health.qld.gov.au
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3234 1190 (Health Minister’s office)
Premier Anna Bligh said the $2.6 million commitment meant that from February next year up to 300 pharmacies across the State would offer free checks as part of the Know Your Numbers program – an initiative of the National Stroke Foundation and Pharmacy Guild.
“Having your blood pressure checked by your local pharmacist is a quick, simple and cost-effective way to alert you to potential health problems,” Ms Bligh said.
“It could also save your life, with high blood pressure increasing the chances of heart disease, stroke and vascular disease.
“In the first 12 months of the three-year program we expect about 50,000 Queenslanders to have their blood pressure checked by their pharmacist, growing to 120,000 checks by 2011 when it is fully rolled out to up to 600 pharmacies.
“When the stations are operational, anyone visiting the pharmacist will have access to the free blood pressure check. If their pharmacist is concerned about the reading, they will recommend a visit to a General Practitioner.
“With the recommendation that adult Queenslanders should be getting their blood pressure checked at least every two years - more if they are overweight, a smoker or are not physically active - this is a convenient way to know your numbers,” she said.
Ms Bligh said Victoria recently ran a trial of a similar project and of the 4000 people checked, a third were encouraged to seek further medical advice from their GP.
The Health of Queenslanders 2008 report released on Friday highlighted that high blood pressure accounts for an estimated 6.6 percent of the total burden of disease and injury in the state.
‘‘This program will help us achieve our Toward Q2 vision of making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people by 2020, and is a great example of government, the community sector and business working together to improve the health of our State,” Ms Bligh said.
The three year initiative is funded as part of the Queensland Strategy for Chronic Disease 2005-2015.
National Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Erin Lalor said nearly all adult Australians have at least one of the risk factors that put them at risk of cardiovascular disease.
”High blood pressure affects millions of Australians over the age of 25, many of whom are not aware they have high blood pressure or do not necessarily manage their hypertension well,” Dr Lalor said.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President Kos Sclavos said pharmacists were pleased to participate in such an important initiative.
”The aim of such a campaign is for people to be aware of the importance of regular blood pressure checks and the consequences of high blood pressure including stroke and cardiovascular disease,” Mr Sclavos said.
For more information visit www.health.qld.gov.au
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3234 1190 (Health Minister’s office)