 |
Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Health Promotion |
Location: WHO > NCD Prevention and Health Promotion > NCD Prevention
Successful prevention of noncommunicable diseases: 25 year experiences with North Karelia Project in Finland
North Karelia Project: from demonstration project to national activity
The North Karelia Project was launched in Finland in 1972 in response to the local
petition to get urgent and effective help to reduce the great burden of exceptionally high
coronary heart disease mortality rates in the area. In co-operation with local and
national authorities and experts, as well as with WHO, the North Karelia Project was
formulated and implemented to carry out a comprehensive intervention through the community
organizations and the action of the people themselves. Comprehensive activities have been
used, involving health and other services, schools, NGO's, innovative media campaigns,
local media, supermarkets, food industry, agriculture etc.
The Project has included a comprehensive evaluation, and has acted as a major
demonstration programme for national and international applications. Over the years the
scope of the Project has been enlarged to include broader objectives of integrated
prevention of major noncommunicable diseases and health promotion, as well as prevention
of risk related lifestyles in childhood and youth (ref.3).
After the original project period (1972-77) the experiences have actively been applied for
national action. Numerous activities have been launched involving e.g. health services,
schools and NGO's. National expert recommendations and programmes have been prepared. Mass
media and industry have been involved. Legislation and other public policy has supported
the development that has been monitored carefully.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
North Karelia Project
Dowload the article in PDF Format (size 37 KB)
 |
|
|
|