[Risk factors in chronic noncommunicable diseases]

As a result of an epidemiological survey of able-bodied population aged 20-64, serviced by the territorial polyclinic of Minsk with the help of standard methods and standardized procedures, the data on the prevalence of some chronic non-communicable diseases and their risk factors were obtained. The high incidence of ischemic heart disease, arterial hypertension, such risk factors as hypercholesteremia, excess body weight, smoking and lack of exercise, and also their increase with age, suggested the necessity to intensify preventive activities among population. A study was made of the able-bodied population awareness regarding healthy lifestyle and also of the extent to which outpatient physicians fulfil the non-drug therapy recommendations. The data obtained were needed for planning curative and preventive activities with due regard for age-and-sex peculiarities in the distribution of characteristics studied.