Twelve-year results of the Coronary Risk Factor Study (CORIS)

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Promotion

Background:

• A 4-year coronary heart disease risk factor intervention program showed significant risk reduction in two intervention towns compared to a control town.
• Intervention effects were assessed post-program cessation, considering community participation and secular trends.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term impact of a coronary heart disease risk factor intervention program.
• To evaluate the influence of secular trends on intervention effectiveness.
• To compare risk factor profiles in intervention and control towns after program cessation.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional surveys of 1620 participants (aged 15-64) were conducted 12 years post-intervention.
• A subsequent study involved 327 participants (aged 35-44) in control and non-intervention towns.
• Data collected included risk factor knowledge, medical history, blood pressure, anthropometry, and blood lipids.

Main Results:

• The low-intensity intervention town maintained a significantly better risk factor profile 12 years later.
• The high-intensity intervention town's profile matched the control town after 12 years.
• No significant differences in risk factor profiles were observed between the control town and two new towns; however, coronary heart disease and stroke deaths showed a downward trend.

Conclusions:

• Secular trends may have diminished intervention effects in the high-intensity town but not the low-intensity town.
• The low-intensity intervention town demonstrated a sustained advantage over the control town.
• Results support the long-term effectiveness of media-based health promotion for reducing cardiovascular disease risk profiles.