The world's largest and longest study of heart disease, stroke and risk factors, begun in 1979, delivers its final report in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday 26th September. For over ten years it studied disease and risk factor rates and trends in 38 populations of 21 countries in 4 continents, collecting a million records.
To coincide with World Heart Day on September 28th, the World Health Organization will launch this major international publication in Geneva on Friday September 26th. The MONICA Monograph and Multimedia Sourcebook has 70 contributors led by Professor Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe of the University of Dundee in Scotland, who is the editor and chief author.
The World Health Organization MONICA Project (for MONItoring CArdiovascular disease) has published numerous reports, sometimes sensational and controversial, over two decades. It was responsible for showing the dramatic differences in disease and risk factor rates (coronary disease, stroke, smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity) between different populations, and the big changes occurring during the ten years of study. MONICA stimulated many countries to start prevention campaigns, and monitored those that were in existence. It showed at a population level the impact of the new treatments introduced in the 1980s and 1990s, both for the acute treatment of heart attacks and for long-term prevention.
Everything is now put together in one book designed for both professional and lay audiences, richly illustrated in full colour, explaining the project, its methods and its results. Every country has contributed. Abstracts of published papers are reproduced along with 80 graphics of the main results. Two CD-ROMs included in the book include tables of all the results, the study documents, and slide presentations with commentary and a 20% sample of the database. The book is generously sponsored by WHO, the European Commission, medical charities and by industry, to be readily affordable to all.
"MONICA is a model for others of how collaboration across political and national boundaries can tackle problems shared by all of us, as well as providing results and ideas that will fascinate everyone interested in heart disease, stroke and risk factors" said Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe. "Through this book the treasure-house of MONICA is being made available to anyone and everyone who wants to know more about it."
Scottish and United Kingdom interest: Professor Tunstall-Pedoe has been 'Rapporteur' of the study since its inception, and led the Scottish MONICA component, which studied North Glasgowwith Dr Caroline Morrison who is based there. There was a second United Kingdom centre in Belfast led by Professor Alun Evans. Glasgow and Belfast had among the highest levels of coronary heart disease in this international study but rates have been falling recently. (At one time North Glasgow had the highest rates in the study for coronary disease in both men and women). Both centres had funding from the British Heart Foundation which also sponsored the production of the CD-ROMs for this book.
The Dundee University Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit played a leading role in the WHO MONICA Project and was a quality control centre of the project through two decades. This Unit is part of The Institute of Cardiovascular Research (TICR) which is currently holding a 'Healthy Heart Week' in support of the TICR Appeal.
Further information: Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe Tel +44 (0)1382 644255.
WHO Flyer on the book is downloadable from http://bookorders.who.int
For review copies contact Email publications@who.net
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910 j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk