26 June 2008

Health Checks at Agricultural Show

Farmers attending Armagh Agricultural Show in Gosford Park last weekend used the opportunity to have a health check organised by Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone.

Health professionals were at hand to do cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose checks and provide a range of health promotion information.

Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland have recently published research exploring safety issues, health and mental wellbeing for farming families.

Jillian Cosgrove from Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone says: “Research shows that farmers, especially young farmers under use health services. This could be for a number of reasons such as a lack of perceived need to difficulties in accessing the service.

“By bringing health services to farmers in their own environment we hope to improve access for the farming community and raise their awareness of the importance of looking after their own health and wellbeing.”

Ulster Cancer Foundation also took part in the day, using a skin scanner to assess sun damage on people’s faces, giving advice on care in the sun and providing information on cancer.

Samples of sun screen were given out courtesy of Boots.