[Effects of health examination and follow-up educational programs on awareness and modification of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in a Japanese urban population].

This study in a Japanese urban population evaluated the effects of health examinations and follow-up educational programs on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, and smoking) and the level of awareness regarding these factors (e.g. having had their blood pressure and serum total cholesterol whether they checked, and knowing whether their level is high or normal, and whether they can state their own level). In both 1990 and 1991, 4,000 adults aged 30 to 79 were randomly selected from residents of S-city in Osaka Prefecture, and urged to attend the baseline health examination for cardiovascular disease at the National Cardiovascular Center. From among 1,879 persons who had received health examinations and follow-up educational programs in 1990, 600 subjects were selected at random and invited to participate in the follow-up examination in the next year. Four hundred forty five persons received the follow-up examination, and in addition, 1,791 persons attended newly the baseline health examination in 1991. Two sets of analyses were conducted. First, the 1990 baseline examination data and the 1991 follow-up examination data of 445 subjects were compared for change of awareness and risk factors. Second, the 1991 follow-up examination data and the 1991 baseline examination data were compared for difference of risk factors level. Initial awareness concerning serum total cholesterol was lower than that concerning blood pressure among people who had attended the 1990 baseline examination. After the health examination and the educational program, awareness for both blood pressure and serum total cholesterol increased significantly. Significant decreases in systolic blood pressure and serum total cholesterol were shown. But, no significant changes were observed for diastolic blood pressure and smoking rate. The means of systolic blood pressure and serum total cholesterol among subjects who received the follow-up examination were significantly lower than subjects who newly participated in the baseline examinations in 1991. Participation in health examinations and follow-up health educational programs can result in positive changes in awareness of risk factors and reduction of these factors.