The CHAD program for the control of cardiovascular risk factors in a Jerusalem community: a 24-year retrospect

The CHAD program, a community health program for the control of cardiovascular risk factors, was planned in 1969 as an experiment in community-oriented primary care (COPC) with the aim of assessing feasibility and effectiveness. The program was instituted in a family practice in Jerusalem in 1970, and has provided a working demonstration of the integration of community health care with the care of individuals and families. Effectiveness was evaluated by comparing changes in risk factor status with those in a comparison population. The program was most effective with respect to the control of hypertension and cigarette smoking. The changes were larger and earlier than those in the comparison population. Positive changes were also observed in the comparison population, which was served by a primary care clinic that also undertook measures for the control of cardiovascular risk factors.