How the change works
- 01 / Public decision
Local request and public program
- 02 / Physical change
Prevention in the community
- 03 / Possible outcome
Monitored risk factors
A health policy can act together on information, services and the daily environment, supporting change beyond individual will.
Research and local documents ↓What the evidence tells us
The North Karelia project, launched in 1972 after a local request, combines community prevention and services. Population series show reductions in several cardiovascular risk factors.
The average systolic pressure in men
149 mmHg1972
134 mmHg2012
Series reported by Vartiainen (2018). Many changes contribute to the trend; it is not the isolated effect of the project.
Open the source ↗Read values and method
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| 1972 | 149 mmHg |
| 2012 | 134 mmHg |
Series reported by Vartiainen (2018). Many changes contribute to the trend; it is not the isolated effect of the project.
From local demand to prevention
- 1971
The community's request
Local representatives are asking the government to address the high cardiovascular mortality.
- 1972
The project starts
Services, communication and community work on risk factors.
- 1977
The experience extends
After the first five years, prevention activities are also being developed at national level.
The timeline describes the implementation. It does not isolate the effect of each intervention on health outcomes.
Research and local documents ↓Conditions and limits
Many changes, including treatments, contribute to outcomes. The reduction in mortality does not measure the environmental footprint of the food system.
Other possible benefits
Access to health information and services throughout the lifespan.
Research and local documents
- Local document and reported findingPuska and Jaini, 2020 · The North Karelia Project ↗
Reconstruction of the program by the researchers involved, from local demand to community prevention.
- Evidence for this findingVartiainen, 2018 · The North Karelia Project: Cardiovascular disease prevention in Finland ↗
Series on risk factors and outcomes; many changes contribute to the reduction of mortality.
