With low uptake of NHS health checks, employers are stepping into the gap, says Luke McClaran, chief people officer at provider Vitality. He discusses why workplace checks appear to be more inviting, according to the data.
Uptake of employer-provided health checks is rising, according to data from both the CIPD and Vitality. At the same time, there’s a widening gap between the number of UK adults invited for an NHS health check and those actually attending.
So, what’s driving this trend, how do health checks support the UK’s prevention agenda, and what role can employers play?
NHS health checks are offered every five years to people aged 40-74 with no pre-existing conditions. They are designed to promote long-term wellbeing and help identify and treat health issues before they become serious. Yet despite more than a million people being invited to a check in April-June 2025, only a third (329,426) attended.
By contrast, employer provision is steadily increasing. The percentage of employers offering health screening has risen from 30 percent in 2023 to 35 percent in 2025. At Vitality, 636,000 health checks were completed by members in 2024. This is up almost 6 percent on the previous year. Most chose virtual checks for speed and convenience, while a smaller number opted for more detailed face-to-face appointments. It’s clear that flexibility and choice matter.
What’s driving the trend?
From an employer perspective, there’s a growing recognition of the link between health and productivity. Over a decade of Britain’s Healthiest Workplace data shows the cost of lost productivity more than doubled between 2014 and 2023, with ill-health estimated to have cost the UK economy £860bn in that time. The business case for prevention is hard to ignore.
Employees, meanwhile, want personalised, trustworthy health insights. In a world of information overload, and frequent misinformation, health checks cut through the noise, offering clear, actionable data from a credible source.
But there are cultural hurdles. The British psyche is not naturally geared towards prevention; most people don’t seek medical advice until something is already wrong. Encouraging those who feel well to attend checks every five years, as the NHS recommends, is a challenge. Employers are in a strong position to nudge behaviour, using communication channels and incentives to encourage participation.
At Vitality, members are encouraged to make checks a routine habit. Communication is consistent, incentives are built in, and the process is annual to make it as familiar as a car service or pet health check. Together, these factors normalise the behaviour and reinforce the value of staying on top of health even when symptom-free.
How health checks support prevention
Checks focus on four core measures: blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and Body Mass Index (BMI). These numbers may sound simple, but they are powerful predictors of risk, covering conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and some forms of dementia.
People often assume more information is better, hence the lure of internet searches and social media ‘experts’. In reality, these four measures mentioned above, combined with personalised advice, are enough to provide meaningful insight and enable people to take steps that can prevent serious illness later in life.
Employers have a vital role
Employers are uniquely placed to reach wide sections of the population, helping people form healthier habits earlier in life. Health checks also provide a tangible foundation for duty of care, ensuring employees feel supported by their organisation.
The benefits extend well beyond wellbeing. Health checks can reduce absence and presenteeism, strengthen productivity, and improve overall engagement. They also bring advantages in recruitment and retention. Market research from Elevate shows 57 percent of employees are more likely to accept a job with an employer that actively supports long-term health, while 67 percent want to be more proactive about prevention. In competitive labour markets, health provision can be a differentiator in attracting and keeping talent.
There are reputational advantages too. Offering visible, inclusive health support signals a commitment to employee wellbeing and demonstrates that the organisation takes its social responsibilities seriously. As the NHS seeks to achieve the prevention goals set out in its 10 Year Health Plan, businesses that align with this agenda stand to strengthen both their employer brand and their broader role in society.
A win for employees, business and society
In short, proactive prevention pays. Health checks help employees feel more in control of their wellbeing, reduce the risk of long-term conditions, and give organisations a healthier, more productive workforce.
We all have a role in helping the NHS achieve the goals set out in the 10 Year Health Plan. This isn’t just an individual thing, or a business thing, it’s a creating a better society thing.
