Protecting your health
Whatever your age, protecting your own and your family's health should be a priority for you. It's important to know where the risks lie and what changes to your lifestyle you can take to minimise them.
Are you taking advantage of the wide range of health screenings that are available to you on the NHS? These can help you find out if you are at risk from cervical, breast or bowel cancer, alcohol or smoking related illnesses and more.
Have you and your children received the correct immunisations? Are you and your family protected against flu and is your newborn or pre-school child up to date with their immunisations.
If you or a relative is elderly, do you know what you can do to stay safe in the winter, prevent falls, and manage your money so heating bills remain affordable?
Finally, are you aware of the risks of everyday issues like protecting yourself from the sun, and preventing accidents at home and at work?
Available health checks
Screening is a way of finding out if you are at higher risk of a health problem. Receive early treatment and / or information to help make informed decisions.
Find out more about screening and the types of screening (opens new window) offered by the NHS.
Support online
The NHS website (opens new window) - a complete A-Z of health conditions, risks and treatments.
Age UK (opens new window) - a closer look at the health risks faced by elderly people.
NHS Vaccination Schedule (opens new window) - a checklist of vaccinations offered to everyone in the UK from birth.
RoSPA (opens new window) - The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
CAPT (opens new window) - Child Accident Prevention Trust.
SunSmart (opens new window) - advice on skin cancer and sun protection from Cancer Research UK.
Winter health tips (opens new window) - advice on staying safe in the winter.
Preventing falls (opens new window) - download a 'staying steady' guide from Age UK.
Heating and housing benefits (opens new window) - help with staying warm in the winter.
Health and Safety Executive (opens new window) - the national independent watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness.
Support in Gateshead
Gateshead Council Health and Safety - minimising health and safety risks at home and work.
More help from your GP
If you would like specific advice on any aspect of your health, or more information on the screens and immunisations available to you, you can make an appointment with your GP.
If you are between 40 and 74, your GP will offer you an NHS Health Check which has been designed to assess your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease or type 2 diabetes.
You can find out more about NHS Health Checks at the NHS Health Check website. (opens new window)