Health course goes out to the heart of the community

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Published Date: 11 February 2009
By Kate Lahive
ASIAN taxi drivers in Sheffield swapped their cabs for the classroom to learn vital tips on how to look after their hearts.


Coronary heart disease is the UK's biggest killer and Asian people are 50 per cent more likely to die prematurely of a heart attack.

But now steps are being taken to tackle the issue in Sheffield, and a new two-day health course is being run for cabbies to help them improve their health and extend their life expectancy.

Some 15 cabbies learned about heart disease and the risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, and being overweight.

They were also taught about healthy eating, exercise and how quitting smoking can reduce the risk.

Permjeet Dhoot, Health Improvement Principal for NHS Sheffield, said: "We recruited the men through our partnership with the Pakistani Muslim Centre and contacts within taxi firms in Sheffield.

"These men clearly understand the health issues of the Pakistani community and are key to communicating messages of how to recognise and manage conditions like heart disease to the wider community."

To join similar courses or to act as a champion in your community for improving health call Permjeet Dhoot on 0114 3051081.

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/headlines/Health-course-goes-out-to.4967148.jp

[sheffph]

Worst job in the world for heart problems, is taxis.