Complimentary Health Screenings Available at NRL Magic Round

Off the back of successful health checks at Melbourne’s Boxing Day Test and Adelaide’s AFL Gather Round, the Queensland Government, in partnership with SiSU Health and Pathology Queensland, will offer free heart health and diabetes screenings at this weekend’s NRL Magic Round in Brisbane.

With cardiovascular disease the leading cause of death in Australia, and those with diabetes at a higher risk, the program will encourage Queenslanders, particularly men with lower health engagement, to get checked.

11 SiSU Health Stations and four finger-prick blood glucose check desks will be set up across the weekend, with attendees over the age of 16 able to check their key health metrics, including blood pressure, blood glucose, weight, and more. Results will be available instantly through the SiSU Health app.

The effort is part of a broader strategy between healthcare providers and major sporting codes to not only enhance immediate access to crucial health screenings but also to foster a greater awareness of personal health, potentially driving significant public health improvements. The immediate access to health metrics and subsequent discussions with healthcare professionals could be a vital step in preventing heart attacks and strokes, particularly among those who might not regularly visit a doctor.

This health initiative at a high-attendance sporting events like the NRL Magic Round, AFL Gather Round and the Boxing Day Test represents a novel approach to tackling major health issues head-on, leveraging the popularity of sports to engage a broad audience in important health conversations.