Doctors have carried out vital health checks on around 40,000 people in deprived communities.
The check-ups, part of the Keep Well programme, have been done at 100 GP practices in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
Patients aged between 40 and 64 were examined for signs of cardiovascular disease and other long-term conditions. Hundreds were diagnosed and have started receiving treatment, or have been given help before their condition made them chronically ill.
Dr Linda de Caestecker, director of public health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, announced the number of check-ups at the health board’s latest meeting.
“I am delighted that more than 40,000 residents from some of our most deprived communities have received this vital health check,” she said.
“As a result, we have been able to help many hundreds of people who were either previously undiagnosed or, better still, act early to prevent the onset of chronic ill-health.”
The programme aims to increase the rate of health improvement in deprived areas by identifying and targeting people thought to be at risk of serious but preventable ill-health.
Grandmother-of-two Jacqueline McMillan, 64, from Drumchapel, was diagnosed with angina after her check-up. She now receives medication to control the condition.
“I cannot recommend this programme highly enough. Thanks to the Keep Well team at Drumchapel Health Centre, I was diagnosed with angina and I now go for routine check-ups,” she said.
“The team is just fantastic. They have so much time for you. It’s very much a friendship and you never feel rushed and you can tell them anything.”