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What are the Vital 5

When you know your Vital 5, you get a picture of how healthy you are at the moment. You also get an idea of what areas you can work on in the future.

They are:

These 5 areas are all linked. For example, feeling sad or stressed a lot could make your blood pressure go up. It could also make it harder to quit smoking or take care of yourself. And feeling down could make it tough to eat well or stay at a healthy weight. But if you make one part better, it can help the others too.

These 5 areas are called the Vital 5 as they are vital for long-term good health and wellbeing. Being healthy helps us to feel well and do the things we love with the people we care about or enjoy spending time with.

If we tackle these 5 areas, we can improve everyone’s health and make sure no one gets left behind.

Explore the support available near you and take control of your wellbeing today.

How can I learn about my Vital 5?

You can find out your Vital 5 numbers with a Vital 5 check, delivered by NHS-approved practitioners at selected pharmacies and other venues throughout south east London.

The free, easy to access, check will measure your blood pressure, weight, and mental health. It will also tell you if you’re drinking at safe levels and can give advice on how to quit smoking.

The Vital 5 Check is free and takes between just 5 – 30-minutes. At the end you’ll get your personal Vital 5 passport, which is a good indication of your overall health and what you can do to improve it.

You’ll get tips you could try. You’ll also learn where you could access support to help you improve your Vital 5 numbers.

Join the 20,000 other Southeast London residents who’ve had their Vital 5 Check.

You can also have your Vital 5 checked in a range of other ways – see map below.

You can do it yourself at six kiosks in libraries and sports centres across Southwark.

A healthcare practitioner might check your Vital 5:

  • before an operation
  • at your GP practice
  • during an outpatient appointment

Click here for a list of places where you can check your Vital 5

Community Health Hubs:

You can access a 15-30 minute Vital 5 check at One Bromley Wellbeing Hub, The Glades Shopping Centre, BR1 1DN.
A healthcare practitioner will discuss up to all five Vital 5 areas with you, offering tips and support to help you stay well for longer.

Outreach:

Pharmacies:

  • B R Lewis Chemist, DA16 3HQ
  • Bonamy Pharmacy, SE16 3HF
  • Broadway Pharmacy, DA6 7BN
  • Day Lewis, BR1 5HS
  • Duncans Chemist, BR1 4JX
  • Kristal Pharmacy, SE15 3HB
  • Herbert Pharmacy, SE18 3SH
  • Junction pharmacy, SW9 8SA
  • Kingshield pharmacy, SW9 7DE
  • Eltham Pharmacy, SE9 6DR
  • Lings Chemist, SE1 5LU
  • Station Pharmacy, SE14 6LD

Free health check kiosks

You can access a digital kiosk at the following places. The kiosk lets you check your Vital 5 and provides tips and support directly on the screen. You can return as often as you like to track your progress over time.

  • Camberwell Library, SE5 7AL
  • Canada Water Library, SE16 7AR
  • Dulwich Library, SE22 8NB
  • Una Marson Library, SE17 2GN
  • The Castle Leisure Centre, SE1 6FG
  • The Peckham Pulse Leisure Centre, SE15 5QN

Remember, some services may check your Vital 5 while you’re already using their support.

These services aren’t listed here, as they’re not available solely for Vital 5 checks.

Sources of information, tips, and support

When you get a Vital 5 Check, you get the Vital 5 Blueprint – a booklet full of information, tips, and support to help you improve your Vital 5.

To learn more about the Vital 5 areas, how they impact your health and how you can improve your Vital 5, click on the links below.

 

Healthy blood pressure

Icon of a heart with a blood pressure monitorIf you keep your blood pressure in the healthy range, it helps to lower the chance of having a heart attack or stroke.

Click here to learn more about a healthy blood pressure

Stop smoking

Icon of a cigaretteIf you stop smoking, the benefits start almost straight away. After just 8 hours, your oxygen levels start to get better, and the harmful carbon monoxide in your blood stream goes down by half.

Click here to learn more about how to stop smoking

Safe drinking

Icon of a glass of beerThere are so many benefits to drinking less, you’ll have more energy, sleep better, lose weight, lower your blood pressure, and cut your risk of getting sick.

Click here to learn more about safe drinking

Healthy mind

Icon of a head with the brain visibleIf you have a healthy mind, you’re more likely to have a healthy body. This is because feeling anxious or depressed involves our bodies as well as our minds.

Click here to learn more about your mental health

Healthy weight

Icon of an appleIf you care for your body by staying in your healthy weight range, it helps lower the chance of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and colon cancer.

Click here to learn more about your weight

Staying well for longer

Icon of a person running or walkingStaying well for longer means you’ll be able to keep doing the things you love with your family , friends, or people around you in your community.

Click here to learn more about keeping well for longer