The North Karelia lessons for prevention of cardiovascular disease

• Published in: Italian Journal of Public Health
• Main Authors: Laatikainen, Tiina, Vartiainen, Erkki, Puska, Pekka
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Milano University Press 2007
• Subjects: Cardiovascular disease; prevention; intervention; community-based project; risk factors; karelia*
• Online Access: https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/ijphjournal/article/view/23214; https://doi.org/10.2427/5884

Background: As a result of the high cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates in Finland in late 1960’s, which became a source of national concern, a major community based programme for CVD prevention called the North Karelia project was established. Aim: The aim of the project was to carry out a programme of comprehensive community based interventions to reduce coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality and morbidity. Methods: Using lifestyle modification methods and strategies for environmental change the programme aimed to reduce three main risk factors: smoking, elevated blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Several intervention settings and strategies in the community were used. Results: Since the 1970’s the CHD mortality in North Karelia has declined by more than 80%. Major reductions have been seen across the main three cardiovascular risk factors. Among both men and women, total serum cholesterol levels within the population declined by almost 20% and systolic blood pressure by about 10%. Smoking among men decreased from 52% to 33%, while among women a slight increase in smoking prevalence was recorded. Conclusions: The North Karelia project has shown that a comprehensive, determined, theory-based community program can have a meaningful and positive effect on risk factors and lifestyles. Furthermore, these changes are associated with favorable changes in chronic disease rates and the health of the population.