Implementing a public cholesterol screening campaign: the North Coast experience

Several community-based interventions in the United States have indicated that it is possible to economically screen the blood cholesterol levels of large numbers of the population and to assist those with elevated levels to reduce their blood cholesterol. The North Coast Cholesterol Check Campaign was designed to involve existing community health staff and community volunteers in a Health Promotion Campaign to: increase community awareness of the importance of cholesterol levels in relation to coronary heart disease; to offer participants immediate blood cholesterol analysis; and to offer dietary advice to those participants who were above the recommended 5.5 mmol/L level. Fifty-two Cholesterol Check Points were conducted on the North Coast of NSW between 1 September and 15 December, 1987. Each Check Point featured a rapid cholesterol analysis with a finger-prick procedure on the Boehringer-Mannheim Reflotron System and immediate dietary counselling by trained staff for participants with elevated levels. A total of 12,067 persons participated in the Campaign: 43 per cent were found to have cholesterol levels that exceeded the recommended desirable levels set by the Australian National Heart Foundation. A 4-5 month follow up of 61 per cent (3,164) of these individuals indicates that 72 per cent lowered their blood cholesterol levels and 65 per cent reduced their BMI. Mean cholesterol change was 0.65 mmol/L and mean BMI change was 0.51. The results indicate the potential for similar community-based nutrition education programmes to reduce cholesterol levels in Australia. This paper details the rationale for the North Coast Cholesterol Check Campaign and the issues concerned with implementation of the campaign.