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* Department of Epidemilogy and Health Promotion, National Public Health
Institute, 00300 Helsinki, Finland. ** Department of Noncommunicable Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion, WHO, Geneva. Correspondence to: Dr Pirjo
Pietinen, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, National Public
Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, 00300 Helsinki, Finland. Phone: +358-9-4744
8596. Fax: +358-9-4744 8591. Email: pirjo.pietinen@ktl.fi
Abstract: This paper describes the Finnish experience on the population
strategy to prevent cardiovascular disease with special reference to diet.
Systematic work to lower the risk factors of cardiovascular disease started
in the early 1970s with the North Karelia project and rapidly expanded
to cover the whole country. The main aims were to change the type of fats
used, to lower sodium intake and to increase vegetable and fruit consumption.
Concurrently, a comprehensive monitoring system was developed including
regular population surveys every five years. During the period 1972-1997
major changes took place in the diet as well as in blood pressure and
serum cholesterol levels. At the same time, cardiovascular mortality decreased
dramatically. The Finnish experience shows that dietary changes are possible
but require a persistent and comprehensive intervention.
Key words: Diet, intervention study, fat, sodium, cardiovascular diseases,
epidemiology, Finland, public health.
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