Lifestyle Education Programs: A Community Based Approach

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasingly becoming one of the largest contributors to preventable death globally each year. This disease is predominately caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices such as poor diet, inactivity, smoking and the harmful use of alcohol. Research in preventative health is now being done with the aim to prevent and reverse this disease without requiring surgical and pharmaceutical intervention. The Coronary Health Improvement Program (CHIP) is one such program which aims to provide holistic health education to individuals through its volunteer delivered approach. Evidence gathered from participants in this program in New Zealand suggests that it is effective in improving the health of participants and, in particular, reducing their CVD risk factors. This book details the effectiveness of these programs and their importance for the prevention and treatment of CVD for the future.