Dubbo, 27 October, 2016 – HCF, leading not-for-profit health fund, has revealed results of the free health checks provided to residents of the Orana region from 3 September to 3 October 2016. The results show Dubbo still needs to focus on reducing key risk factors to achieve better health.

Over 1,600 local residents visited the HCF Health Station to be tested for blood pressure, heart rate, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and body fat percentage. Test results showed:

• 61% of people tested for BMI were advised to lose weight.
• 80% of men (4 out of 5) and 65% of women (2 out of 3) were found to have at least one health risk.
• 28% of those tested (14% of men and 14% of women) had more than three health risks, including high blood pressure, BMI and heart rate*.
• 21% of males and 20% of females recorded a very high or high blood pressure rating.
• 29% of males and 28% of females recorded a very high or high BMI rating.

The Far West and Orana regions have previously been ranked as second worst in the state for heart-related hospital admissions¹, of which 35.7 per cent of patients were recorded as obese and 64.5 per cent insufficiently active¹.

HCF Dubbo branch manager Dale Wykes said the free health checks were an important initiative which would help address preventable health issues in the local community.

“At HCF we believe health comes first, that’s why we’re proud to support initiatives, such as the HCF Health Station, which help the detection of treatable and preventable health conditions. As the results show there is still room for improvement, we aim to empower residents to be proactive about positive lifestyle changes that will have long term benefits”.

“We encourage locals to use these results as a trigger to start or continue their journey towards improving their health,” Dale said.

Residents can make use of the many digital tools and free online resources from HCF to help them reach their health and fitness goals. HCF’s suite of healthy apps includes a Get Fitter app, offering advice and tailored exercise plans, a Be Happier app, including tools to improve mental and emotional wellbeing, and a Quit Smoking app to help smokers stay focused on their smoke-free goals.

* Health risks were defined by patients recording:

• Blood pressure (BP) 140/90+
• BMI 25+
• Heart rate 100+

¹Heart Foundation, Mapping Out Australia’s Heart Health, 17 August 2016

-ENDS-

Issued on behalf of HCF by WE Buchan. For more information, contact:

• Rebecca Hands
  P: (02) 9237 2817
  M: 0424 804 455
  E: rhands@buchanwe.com.au
• Gemma Hudson
  P: (02) 9237 2810
  M: 0406 097 071
  E: ghudson@buchanwe.com.au

About HCF

HCF, leading not-for-profit health fund protecting Australians since 1932, covers around 1.5 million members with health and life insurance, community care, travel and pet insurance.

On average over the last five years, HCF has paid out more cents in every dollar in premiums to members as benefits than the industry average. With over 35,000 specialists participating in its Medical Gap Cover Scheme and approximately 10,000 providers participating in its 100% back More for You programs, HCF gives members access to quality healthcare with no gaps or minimal costs compared to non-participating providers.

To empower members to put their health first, HCF also offers a range of health and lifestyle services including its My Health Guardian health management program, mobile Victor Chang Heart Health Checks and My Global Specialist second opinion service. HCF also offers a discount on online GP visits with GP2U.

HCF’s national network of retail outlets and Australian-based call centres have earned multi-award winning status. HCF members also have access to low cost, high quality services at HCF Dental Centres and HCF Eyecare Centres.

Having contributed $50 million to support the health services research funded by the HCF Research Foundation, HCF is devoted to investing in the future of Australia’s health.

To learn more about HCF go to hcf.com.au/about-us