Can we better prevent cardiovascular disease? 'Stayin' healthy to stay alive'

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major contributor to premature morbidity and mortality. We have the tools to prevent CVD, but they are not being applied as effectively as they might. Key contributors to sub-optimal CVD risk factor control are the community's lack of awareness of CVD risk and individuals' lack of awareness of their own CVD risk and 'optimal' targets for risk factors. Additional contributors to sub-optimal CVD risk factor control include failure to treat, lack of adherence with therapy, and failure to achieve therapeutic targets. The Australian SunSmart program for preventing skin cancer by reducing sun exposure provides a potential template for a community-based education program, with support from nurses, pharmacists and allied health, that educates and empowers children and all members of the community to improve CVD risk management by increasing awareness and treatment of CVD risk, improving adherence with risk factor control strategies, and improving success in achievement of target outcomes for risk factors, thereby achieving life-long CVD risk factor control and CVD prevention.