[Cardiovascular prevention in the community: the plurisectorial program of the canton of Tessin]

Abstract

It describes the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases carried out in Tessin (Italian-speaking Switzerland). Every single action is addressed to the entire population, actively involving professional associations (doctors, pharmacists, nurses, shop-keepers, etc.) and making use in particular of the collaboration of the mass-media (daily press, radio, television). The described actions concern the struggle against the cardiovascular risk factors through the daily diffusion of tv advertisements, free measurement of arterial pressure, and the possibility of disposing in the majority of regional restaurants of a "Health menu" with a low content of saturated fats and cholesterol. In 1984 every citizen of Tessin has been reached by an average of 24 "preventive messages".