Sthrn Cross Health Test Caps Stroke Awareness Week

12 September 2006
Media Release

Southern Cross Health Test Caps Stroke Awareness Week

This year’s Annual Stroke Awareness Week, 12-18 September, will coincide with TV ONE’s television health event, ‘Test The Nation – The Southern Cross Health Test’ at 7.30pm on Monday 18 September.

Stroke Week is aimed at educating New Zealanders about the risks of stroke, the third highest cause of death in New Zealand each year. And Stroke risks and prevention will be one area of focus for the Test The Nation show.

CEO of the Stroke Foundation Mark Vivian said, “Participating in the Southern Cross Health Test is the ideal opportunity for people concerned about strokes to assess their lifestyle and personal risk.”

Following the popular TV ONE format of previous Test the Nation shows, the live, three hour television show will test general health knowledge of viewers.

There will also be questions to assess personal health risk. This will give viewers the chance to be proactive by identifying potential health problems, such as a stroke or cardiovascular disease, and receive advice on how simple lifestyle changes can reduce risk,” said Mr Vivian.

Southern Cross Group Chief Executive Dr Ian McPherson said, “While there are some stroke risk factors which people can’t control, such as age, gender and ethnicity, New Zealanders can reduce risk by working on lifestyle factors which they can control.”

The risk factors for stroke include smoking, high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, excessive alcohol intake and obesity.

“8,000 New Zealanders suffer a stroke each year. Approximately 56,000 people live with the after effects of stroke. Test the Nation is a fun, interactive way of increasing public awareness of this type of health risk,” said Dr McPherson.

ENDS

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