Editorials1 April 1987The Cholesterol Saga: Whither Health Promotion?MARSHALL H. BECKER, Ph.D., M.P.H.MARSHALL H. BECKER, Ph.D., M.P.H.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-106-4-623 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptIn this issue, Taylor and colleagues (1) make valuable modeling contributions to a phenomenon for which an appropriate appellation might be "The Cholesterol Saga. " For the general public, the saga provides ample rationale for noncompliance with public health recommendations. For the critical professional observer, the story is an allegory for much that is problematic in the health promotion movement.We currently expend considerable resources in attempts to alter a large number of individual lifestyles but the relationships of these modifications to health status and longevity remain very controversial. The Cholesterol Saga is illustrative, because many health promotion efforts aim...References1. TAYLOR W, PASS T, SHEPARD D, and KOMAROFF A. Cholesterol reduction and life expectancy: a model incorporating multiple risk factors. Ann Intern Med. 1987;106:605-14. LinkGoogle Scholar2. GRUNDY S, BILHEIMER D, and BLACKBURN H. Rationale of the diet-heart statement of the American Heart Association: report of Nutrition Committee. Circulation. 1982;65:839A-854A. MedlineGoogle Scholar3. REISER R. A commentary on the Rationale of the Diet-Heart Statement of the American Heart Association. Am J Clin Nutr. 1984;40:654-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. STALLONES R. Ischemic heart disease and lipids in blood and diet. Annu Rev Nutr. 1983;3:155-85. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. AVOGARO P. Apolipoproteins, the lipid hypothesis, and coronary heart disease. In: KAPLAN RM, CRIQUI MH, eds. Behavioral Epidemiology and Disease Prevention. New York: Plenum Publishing Company; 1985:57-65. 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BECKER, Ph.D., M.P.H.Affiliations: The University of Michigan School of Public Health Ann Arbor, Michigan PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byAppendicitis: An African PerspectiveVegetable and fruit consumptionDietary Advice: From Folklore to Present Beliefs'The Great Debate About Cholesterol': Medical Controversy and the News MediaThe questionable wisdom of a low-fat diet and cholesterol reductionPublic Cholesterol Screening in the Previously Diagnosed: Misuse of Resources or Beneficial Function?Psychologic effects of the diagnosis and treatment of hypercholesterolemia: Lessons from case studiesPatterns of Physicians' Treatments for Referral Patients From Public Cholesterol ScreeningPrimary care clinician compliance with cholesterol treatment guidelines1990 Atwater Lecture. The science and the practice of nutrition: reflections and directionsReduction of serum cholesterol levels and regression of atherosclerosisThe cholesterol controversy and health education: A response to the criticsPracticing Health Promotion: The Doctor's DilemmaMarshall H. Becker, PhD, MPH, Nancy K. Janz, PhD, MSFocused educational interventions to improve resident management of hypercholesterolemiaTreating HypercholesterolemiaManagement of HypercholesterolemiaEpidemiology and Interaction of Risk Factors in Cardiovascular DiseaseDIET AND CORONARY RISK IN MEN AND WOMENNo Pain, No Gain: A Puritan LegacyWhy some physicians have concerns about the cholesterol awareness programEvaluating community-level health promotion and disease prevention interventionsClinical implications of the aging heartTime to lower cholesterolTime to lower cholesterolHealth Outcomes Should be Viewed as an Area under the CurveManagement of Lipids in Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular DiseasesCholesterol Reduction and Life ExpectancyBOB ARNOLD, M.D., LACHLAN FORROW, M.D. 1 April 1987Volume 106, Issue 4Page: 623-626KeywordsCholesterolHealth promotionPrevention, policy, and public health ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 April 1987 PDF downloadLoading ...
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