The Department is currently developing proposals for a screening programme. The purpose of the screening programme will be to identify people’s levels of risk for cardiac and vascular disease so that they can be offered preventive measures.
The number of people who will be screened is by its nature unpredictable, and will depend on the details of what is offered to whom, which will be worked out in part in discussions with stakeholders. However, a range of assumptions about likely take-up levels of a vascular risk assessment programme will be modelled into the analytical work being undertaken by the Department. Assumptions about likely take-up will also form part of the discussions we will have with stakeholders about the development of the practical aspects of the programme.
With regard to screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm, information on estimated numbers of people who will be screened is not collected centrally.
The Department is currently developing proposals for a screening programme. Any such programme will use an assessment of risk based on a range of known predictive factors including age, gender, smoking status, body mass index, high blood pressure, and cholesterol and glucose, as appropriate. The exact nature of a vascular risk assessment and management programme is still the subject of developmental work. It would be premature at this stage to set out specific details on advertising and education campaigns.
With regard to screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a variety of information and support materials will be developed with stakeholders to enable men to make an informed choice about whether they wish to undergo AAA screening or possible surgery if an AAA is detected.