A REPORT highlighting the barriers preventing men in Oxfordshire from living healthier lives has led to calls for more flexible and tailored health checks.

A survey of more than 300 men in East Oxford found that many have difficulty in accessing information and healthcare, citing factors such as shift work and family constraints.

In Oxfordshire as a whole, the main cause of death among adult men is cancer followed by heart disease, depression and diabetes.

However many of these conditions are associated with ‘preventable’ lifestyle factors such as obesity, and low physical activity.

The study, carried out by community football club East Oxford United and funded by Healthwatch Oxfordshire, found many males were not accessing health services such as the free NHS health checks, which are specifically designed to spot early warnings of conditions such as stroke, kidney and heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Executive director of Healthwatch Oxfordshire Rosalind Pearce said: “This report shows that men, in general, are aware of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, and do take steps such as taking exercise and thinking about their diet.

“However, it shows that more could be done to make it easier for men to access free NHS health checks and information, and address other barriers to good health such as concerns about money, secure housing, cost of healthy food, exercise, and general life concerns.”

The survey specifically asked the men what prevented them from taking care of themselves, with almost 40 per cent saying they ‘didn’t have the time’, while 12 per cent said they were too busy looking after others, and 10 per cent said they didn’t have the money.

A further 10 per cent said they didn’t know how.

Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) said it would use the results of the survey to help improve uptake and information of the health checks.

Health improvement principal at OCC, Stephen Pinel, said: “The Healthwatch Oxfordshire report will be helpful to the council in looking into the issues facing this proportion population, leading to agreed priorities.

“The council will be following up on the issues identified and how it can get more residents to take up their offer of a free NHS Health Check, specifically in regards to how information is targeted towards this group.

“This is important because men experience higher than average rates of cardiovascular disease, and therefore stand to benefit most from receiving an NHS Health Check.”