Heart health campaign targets taxi drivers during SA’s awareness month - IOL

As South Africa marks Heart Awareness Month this September, the spotlight is on the cardiovascular risks facing people whose demanding routines can leave little room for their own health.

Among them are taxi drivers, who spend long hours on the road, often under pressure and with limited opportunities for physical activity and healthy food choices.

The Check My Beat campaign is taking heart health directly to the taxi rank, bringing cardiovascular screening and education to drivers who may otherwise struggle to find time for routine healthcare.

The campaign will culminate in a community screening at Bara Taxi Rank in Soweto on September 15, where drivers will have their blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and other vital heart-health indicators checked.

Dr David Jankelow, cardiologist and former president of SA Heart, said the initiative was born from the need to take cardiovascular care beyond hospitals and clinics and into communities.

“SA Heart recognised that our responsibility must extend beyond the clinical setting. In line with our vision of advancing cardiovascular care for all living in South Africa, we wanted to take credible heart health information and screening directly to the people who need it most,” Jankelow said.

He said taxi drivers were identified as a priority because their working conditions can make preventative healthcare difficult to prioritise.

“Taxi drivers keep South Africa moving, often at the expense of their own health. Long hours behind the wheel, stress, limited healthy food choices and little time for routine healthcare can increase their cardiovascular risk,” he said.

“Instead of expecting drivers to come to us, Check My Beat brings screening, education, and support directly to them.”

The warning signs are stark. About 215 South Africans die every day from heart disease or stroke, while one in three South Africans aged 15 and older has high blood pressure. Yet up to 80% of cardiovascular disease-related premature deaths among people under 65 are preventable through healthier lifestyles, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa.

Previous Check My Beat screenings have also highlighted the risks among taxi drivers. The initiative screened 242 drivers in 2024 and 324 in 2025. Among those screened last year, 28% had hypertension, 72.9% were overweight or obese, and 14.8% had elevated cholesterol.

For some drivers, the screening was their first opportunity to check their cardiovascular health. This year’s campaign is also using music and technology to make the message more personal. After being screened, participating drivers will receive personalised “Heart Health Tracks” — AI-generated songs using Maskandi-inspired music, heartbeat rhythms, and messages encouraging healthier choices.

Mandi Fine, a board member of SA Heart and co-founder of the Check My Beat project, said the idea was to make heart health relatable beyond the screening itself.

“We want to make cardiovascular health something people can engage with in a way that feels relevant to their everyday lives,” Fine said.