Demand for health check roll-out
IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Chair Teresa Roche, Minister Michael Healy-Rae, IFA Deputy President Alice Doyle and Madeline Rabbitt from CROÍ at the launch of the Health Check report at Cillin Hill mart in Kilkenny today.
Calls have been made for a pilot health check initiative for farmers which took place in autumn 2024 to be rolled out nationwide.
Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), under the Farm Safety, Health, and Wellbeing Projects scheme, the Health Check Initiative was launched to address significant health and wellbeing challenges faced by the farming community.
It provided on-site health checks at livestock marts and agri-events across the country, aiming to bridge healthcare access gaps and to promote proactive health management. Services included preventative health checks, a mental health questionnaire, and tailored educational resources for farmers, farm workers and their families.
The pilot service delivered over 1,200 health checks in 16 locations, exceeding the target by 22%. Of these, nearly 50% of participants presented with elevated blood pressure or cholesterol levels.
Farmers who used the service said they appreciated the convenience and accessibility of on-site health checks and related services and valued opportunities to discuss mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety and depression.
Minister for State at the Dept of Agriculture Michael Healy-Rae launched the report on the pilot's success at Cillín Hill mart in Kilkenny, which was one of the locations that offered free health checks to farmers.
Among the recommendations are the establishment of a national Health Check Programme; a centralised digital platform offering continuous health education; expansion of holistic services; and a stakeholder forum to raise awareness of farming-related health issues and increased risk factors.
IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Teresa Roche said: “The success of the Health Check programme was evident in the sheer demand. At some locations, queues extended beyond capacity. We can build on this momentum and develop ongoing preventative programmes."
CROÍ chief executive Mark O'Donnell said: “The response to this pilot shows the real need for accessible health checks in rural communities. Cardiovascular health is key to overall well-being, yet many risk factors go unnoticed. With 80% of premature cardiovascular disease being preventable, early detection and early treatment is essential. The high rates of elevated blood pressure and cholesterol identified in this pilot highlight why regular heart health checks matter."
