To study the trend in premature mortality (before 75 years of age) from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in a Swedish primary health care district compared to communities of similar demographic situation and all Sweden.
Mortality from IHD in men and women was compared between the community of Habo and other Swedish communities of similar size and all Sweden for the period 1984-96.
The community of Habo in Sweden with about 9600 inhabitants.
Intensified efforts by the local primary health care organisation, in co-operation with the community, in respect of primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention since the beginning of the 1980s.
Mortality from IHD has decreased significantly both in Habo and in Sweden during these years. The decrease has been more prominent in Habo than in Sweden as a whole and other Swedish communities of similar demographic situation.
With increased and purposeful efforts in primary and secondary prevention, in co-operation between the community and primary health care, it is possible to substantially decrease mortality from IHD in the community.