Prevention and Control of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases in Rural West China
Chronic non-communicable diseases have become the leading causes of death in China. Although the Chinese government has begun to launch prevention and control efforts, the north-west area of China is comparatively neglected in terms of priority interventions against these emerging health threats. The aim of this five year project is to develop cardiovascular diseases prevention and control model by extending the Program of Shaanxi Hanzhong Hypertension Prevention (PSHHP) to other areas in rural west China. A cross-sectional study is proposed to estimate the current prevalence of hypertension and other related diseases and to glean lessons from a set of strategic interventions from PSHHP. Roughly 1,600 subjects in sample villages will be investigated and surveyed about the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular disease and mortality due to hypertension, outcome from treatment and management of hypertension, awareness of cardiovascular diseases, health services for disease control, and dietary patterns including lifestyle. Based on these findings, a new rural community-based comprehensive model of prevention and control against hypertension and cardiovascular diseases will be developed. The model will focus on community activities through policy support and community-based activities in two counties, one for intervention and another as control. A Study Monitoring Committee will be established at the beginning of the project to track progress through quarterly reviews.