MORE than 1,600 tests have been carried out by digital health kiosks in St Helens since they were launched last year.

The ‘Wellpoint’ health kiosk, based in the Smokefree St Helens Hub in the Hardshaw Shopping Centre, was installed in October 2017.

A second kiosk has also been moving around workplaces within the borough.

To date more than 1,100 individuals have used the machine, accumulating more than 1,600 tests, according to St Helens Council’s budget and performance report.

The results show that 61 per cent of users were overweight or obese, 63 per cent had high body fat, 22 per cent had high blood pressure and 72 per cent had a heart age greater than their actual age.

Cllr Gill Neal, cabinet member for better health, said: “These figures are not telling us anything we didn’t know – our obesity rates for adults are around 71 per cent which directly links to high blood pressure and heart disease.

“However, I am really pleased that people are using the health kiosks because the thought of having a health check can be daunting for some and for others it is finding time.

“Our health is so important and it’s far better to catch high blood pressure and dangerous weight levels early rather than run the risk of a having a heart attack or stroke.”

The Welpoint kiosks asks users questions about their lifestyle habits before displaying their main vitals such as weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, blood pressure and heart rate.

At the end of the assessment, the kiosk indicates how likely it is the user will develop heart disease in the next 10 years and offers tips and advice on how health and wellbeing can be improved.

Following the health check, users are provided with information and signposted according to their results.

Results are also recorded into a personal profile, which can be accessed online or on a smartphone each time the health kiosk is visited.

Cllr Neal said: “It takes around five minutes for a quick health check and users are given information about where to go for advice and support locally.

“I would urge everyone to get one done – those five minutes could save your life.”