What Is A Health Screening?

If you’re healthy, then you probably won’t even consider getting a health check up, as you’ll just assume you’re fine. Many business owners are the same, believing that their employees can look after themselves and that they don’t need to feel any responsibility for their workers’ health. Fortunately, there are regulations in place that mean employers have to make sure their employees are safe and secure while at work. So, if business owners employ the services of an occupational health company, then they can meet regulations as well as invest in the future of their business. Read on to find out what a health screening actually is, and to discover all the benefits that they can have for the success of your business. 

What Is A Health Screening?

A health screening is a series of tests performed on someone who seems to be healthy, in order to check for any underlying health issues. The purpose of the health screening is to create an overview of the person’s current health. Health screenings can be designed specifically for babies, older people, and other at-risk groups, or they can be used by employers to check their employees’ health. These screenings can help prevent future health problems by providing advice on lifestyle changes or steps you can take to avoid any health issues you’re at risk of. If it’s a workplace health screening, then they’re usually carried out annually. 

What Do Health Screenings Cover?

The tests carried out in a health screening can vary depending on your lifestyle, previous health issues, and family health history. The main tests usually include:

• Advisory information on how to access support for smoking / alcohol / diet / exercise. 
• Blood pressure checks /Height / Weight / BMI. 
• Cholesterol: finger prick test 
• Diabetes: finger prick test. 
• Outcomes of assessment for the individual to take away.
• Leaflets. 

How Do You Know If You Need A Health Screening?

Health checks are usually recommended for people over 40 – especially elderly people – or people who know that their family has a history of health conditions. Many people in the UK don’t get checked and then end up contracting serious health conditions which could have been avoided if they had been diagnosed earlier. Basically, health checks are not for when you think you need one, rather they’re used for prevention and should happen when you believe you’re healthy and fine. 

Business owners should carry out health screenings:

• When you’re checking employees for any work-related injuries or problems.
• If you’re looking to employ a new staff member, and you need to check whether they’re suitable for the role.
• If your current staff member has had a leave of absence from the job and you need to make sure they’re still physically able to carry out the role. 

Why Are Health Screenings Important?

The unfortunate truth is that one quarter of premature deaths are caused by cardiovascular disease, and 50% to 80% of these cases could have been avoided. This is just one example of why health assessments are so important – they can be used to detect illnesses before they become serious. Which means you can use better treatments and management plans for the conditions and then the effects might not be as serious. A health assessment can also help your doctor figure out what you might be at risk of. For instance, if your diet is unhealthy, your doctor could suggest dietary changes to help you avoid cardiovascular disease in the future.

Why Do Businesses Need To Organise Employee Health Checks?

If you’re a business owner, then you have a responsibility to look after your employees, and so you should carry out regular workplace health screenings. It’s also your duty to make sure your employees are not being negatively impacted by their work. This is especially important in industrial workplaces where people are doing hard physical labour, but it’s also relevant in an office where employees can get back and neck problems from working at a desk. Even if the work is only creating minor health problems, you can use these health checks to identify them and then mitigate any serious future effects. 

How Can Healthier Workforce Help?

If you’re a business owner looking to carry out health assessments for your employees, then Healthier Workforce can provide the reliable workplace health checks you require. Once you start looking after your employees’ health, there will be multiple benefits, including higher staff retention, less sick days, and more productivity. If you want to know more about our occupational health services, then simply contact our friendly team today.