Integrated Approach to Prevention and Control of Cardiovascular Diseases

Introduction From 1984 to 2004, the city of Novi Sad participated in the international MONICA (Multinational MONItoring of trends and determinants in CArdiovascular disease) project, as one of the 38 research centres form 21 countries around the world and in CINDI (Countrywide Integrated Noncommunicable Disease Intervention Programme) programme. Objective Objective was to indicate the advantages of the integrated approach to prevention and control of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) over mono-programmes and still present curative approach. Additional objective was the assessment of the vulnerability from the leading risk factors of the population of Novi Sad, based on the results and experience gained in realization of international projects. Methods We analysed the results obtained in the countries where MONICA project and CINDI programme have been applied. The results of their application in Novi Sad are analysed (the trend of the prevalence of risk factors, the incidence of coronary and cerebrovascular events). Results The prevalence of risk factors (except smoking), the incidence of coronary and cerebrovascular events are significantly increasing and are in positive correlation with the values of the linear trend. The decrease was only recorded in 1987 (the implementation of the intervention programme). Conclusion The review of results and experiences in international projects and programs, clearly indicate the advantage of an integrated approach to prevention and control of CVD in relation to monoprograme. The great vulnerability of the population of Novi Sad of the risk factors of CVD points out the necessity of their reductions by the principles of integrated programmes of prevention and control.