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The North Karelia Project: a programme for community control of cardiovascular diseases
Insights
The North Karelia Project reduced cardiovascular disease risk factors in Finland. Smoking decreased, low-fat milk consumption rose, and blood pressure monitoring/treatment increased, improving public health.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
- Community Intervention Programs
Background:
- The North Karelia Project, initiated in 1972, addressed high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in Eastern Finland.
- Baseline data revealed significant risk factors in males aged 25-59, including high smoking rates (54%), elevated cholesterol (269 mg%), and hypertension (147/90 mmHg).
- The incidence of acute myocardial infarction was notably high at 13.8 per thousand among males aged 30-64 in 1972.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the background, intervention strategies, and evaluation principles of the North Karelia Project.
- To assess the impact of a comprehensive community control program on cardiovascular disease risk factors.
- To detail the evolution of the project plan based on accumulated experience and theoretical considerations.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a community-wide intervention program focused on cardiovascular disease risk reduction.
- Baseline and follow-up surveys to monitor changes in risk factors such as smoking, diet, and blood pressure management.
- Establishment of local groups for secondary prevention of myocardial infarction.
Main Results:
- Within 2.5 years, current smoking among males decreased from 54% to 42%.
- The consumption of low-fat milk among males increased from 17% to 48%.
- Proportion of males with recent blood pressure measurements rose from 28% to 56%, and those on antihypertensive treatment increased from 3.1% to 9.1%.
Conclusions:
- The North Karelia Project demonstrated significant success in modifying key cardiovascular disease risk factors within the community.
- Community-based interventions are effective in improving public health outcomes related to cardiovascular diseases.
- The project's adaptive planning facilitated ongoing improvements and effectiveness.
Abstract:
In this article the background and principles of the intervention and evaluation of the North Karelia Project are presented. The project is a comprehensive community control programme concerning cardiovascular diseases in the province of North Karelia, Eastern Finland. In the baseline survey of the project (1972), 25-59-year-old males had a particularly high of CVD level risk factors; there were 54% current smokers, the mean cholesterol was 269 mg% and the mean casual blood pressure was 147/90 mmHg. According to the myocardial infarction register the incidence rate of acute myocardial infraction was, during the first year of the project (1972), 13.8 per thousand among 30-64-yearold males. During the first 2 1/2 of the intervention the percentage of current smokers decreased among males from 54 to 42. The percentage of males using low-fat milk increased from 17 to 48. The percentage of males who had had their blood pressure measured during the previous half year increased from 28 to 56 and those under antihypertensive drug treatment from 3.1 to 9.1. Local groups for secondary prevention of myocardial infarction were established all over the province. On the basis of the accumulated experience and theoretical considerations, the project plan has futher been elaborated.