title: How effective are strategies for non-communicable disease prevention and control in a high risk population in a developing country? Isfahan Healthy Heart Programme.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Isfahan Healthy Heart Programme (IHHP) is a community-based programme for non-communicable diseases prevention and control using both a population and high risk approach in Iran. This study demonstrated the efficacy of IHHP interventional strategies to improve lifestyle behaviours in a population at risk for developing cardiovascular diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy Lifestyle for NCDs High Risk Population is one of ten projects of IHHP. High risk individuals were defined as those who have at least one risk factor for developing coronary artery disease (CAD). Changes of behavioural indicators have been compared between two areas with a survey after 5 years of intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among high risk individuals in the intervention and reference areas, 77.8% and 82.5% had at least one major risk factor for CAD. The prevalence of major risk factors for CAD (except cigarette smoking) was decreased in both intervention and reference areas during 5 years of intervention and the pattern of diet and physical activity was improved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventional activities in IHHP targeting the high risk population seem to be effective in improving lifestyle behaviour, increasing awareness and control of risk factors of the high risk population.
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Centre, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Cardiovascular Diseases Control, Prevention, and Rehabilitation for Cardiac Patients in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Abdolmehdi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baghaei
authors.forename: Nizal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sarrafzadegan
authors.forename: Katayoun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rabiei
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gharipour
authors.forename: Ali Akbar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Tavasoli
authors.forename: Shahin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shirani
authors.forename: Ahamad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bahonar
authors.forename: Amir Hossein
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Davarpanah
authors.forename: Mohammad Arash
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ramezani
authors.forename: Roya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kelishadi