Countrywide Integrated Noncommunicable Disease Intervention (CINDI)

The CINDI Programme

The WHO CINDI (Countrywide Integrated Noncommunicable Disease Intervention) Programme focuses its action on the reduction of levels of major noncommunicable diseases (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes) through coordinated, comprehensive health promotion and disease prevention measures. The aim is to promote healthier lifestyles in communities and to prevent and control common risk factors (such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, smoking, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle).

There are 27 countries (25 WHO European Member States as well as Canada and Cyprus) participating in CINDI.

The CINDI Programme is managed by the Chronic Disease Prevention Programme in the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the Council of CINDI Programme Directors, and the CINDI Programme Management Committee.

An Integrated Approach

The programme is based on the concept of an integrated approach towards the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. The approach implies recognition that a few modifiable risk factors are common to major noncommunicable diseases (NCD). The approach covers the full continuum of health promotion, disease prevention and health care actions. The implementation of the concept involves combining population based strategy with high risk strategy aimed at improving the risk profile of individuals through preventive practice.

Mission

To establish cooperative projects and programmes to help prevent and control noncommunicable diseases and to promote healthier lifestyles.

Priorities of CINDI

Reducing smoking, unhealthy diets, alcohol abuse, physical inactivity and psycho-social stress.