National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) was founded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in November 1985 for a very specific purpose. This agency focuses on increasing the awareness of the dangers of high blood cholesterol and the benefits of lowering blood cholesterol in an effort to reduce the incidences of illness and death caused by coronary disease in the United States.

NCEP cites national survey results to validate their progress toward increasing knowledge in the medical community and in the general public about the dangers of high blood cholesterol; and toward reducing the prevalence of high blood cholesterol in people living in the United States. They list surveys of physicians and the public that show the percentage of people checking their blood cholesterol rising from 35 percent to 75 percent between 1983 and 1995, an increase of 70 to 80 million Americans; meanwhile, cholesterol levels of 240 or above declined from 26 percent to 19 percent. NCEP also points to a corresponding decline in coronary disease fatalities that they correlate with their educational campaign.

NCEP's current strategy promotes the detection and treatment of elevated blood cholesterol levels. It also includes a call to Americans to reduce saturated fat and cholesterol intake while increasing exercise and managing body weight.

Since its inception, the NCEP has collaborated with relevant organizations to promote national implementation of its strategies and guidelines. The NCEP Coordinating Committee, which consists of representatives from health professional associations, volunteer groups, community programs and governmental agencies, helps disseminate cholesterol data to the population.

The coordinating committee also sponsors expert panels to create guidelines for health professionals. They include the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults; the Laboratory Standardization Panel; the Expert Panel on Population Strategies for Blood Cholesterol Reduction; the Expert Panel on Blood Cholesterol Levels in Children and Adolescents; and the Working Group on Lipoprotein Management.

To reduce coronary diseases by reducing the prevalence of elevated blood cholesterol, NCEP focuses on three main educational methods. The first method involves educating health professionals on the cause of coronary disease, and to increase their awareness of the importance of weight control, diet and exercise in lowering blood cholesterol.

The second method involves educating the public to increase awareness that elevated blood cholesterol is a significant cause of coronary disease. This process involves encouraging the reduction of cholesterol and saturated fat intake, increasing the number of Americans who regularly monitor their blood cholesterol levels, and spreading the knowledge that diet and exercise also contribute to the management of high blood cholesterol.

The third method focuses on encouraging the community to increase blood cholesterol control activities, educating children on blood cholesterol and cardiovascular risk factors, creating program activities specifically geared toward minorities and other target demographics and promoting increased [Page 1176]dissemination of scientifically accurate cholesterol-related information.