Serum cholesterol trends among members of the Finnish parliament

Background. Mortality from coronary heart disease in Finland has declined r emarkably since the early 1970s. Most of the change has apparently been due to the active national strategy for reduction of serum cholesterol levels, This study was undertaken to estimate to what extent members of the Finnis h parliament (MPs) have complied with the national recommendations. Methods. Serum total and HDL cholesterol values were measured from MPs of t hree subsequent parliaments elected in 1987, 1991, and 1995. Results. From 1987 to 1995, the Finnish MPs showed a reduction of serum tot al cholesterol that was significant among males (-5.2%, P < 0.05) but not a mong females (-6.4%, NS) and was somewhat smaller than the reduction in the general population during 1987 to 1997 (-9.4% among males and -8.3% among females), The male MPs had a 14% rise in HDL cholesterol (P < 0.01), while among female MPs and in the general population it decreased by 3.1 to 3.8% (all NS). The cholesterol levels of female MPs were altogether a little low er than in the general population. The Finnish MPs tended to have lower tot al cholesterol levels compared with those reported from Hungarian MPs. Conclusion. The favorable change in the lipid profile of members of the Fin nish parliament indicates that they have personally keen involved in the na tional change process. Follow-up of risk factors in national decision-maker s is a useful part of comprehensive monitoring of national coronary heart d isease prevention activity. (C)1999 American Health Foundation and Academic Press.