What does a Population Health Approach Mean for Nurses Working in Primary Health Care? A Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Programme

Abstract

Cardiovascular (CVD) disease is the leading cause of death and hospitalisation in New Zealand, with major disparities between ethnic groups. Implementing the New Zealand Guidelines on the assessment and management of cardiovascular (CVD) risk is urgent and requires a range of activities from social marketing, community development and health promotion through to clinical care. Clarification of a population health approach and how primary health care nurses can integrate both personal and public health activities is important to the implementation of the CVD risk guidelines. This paper reports on an innovative project where primary health care nurses have a key role in integration of public and personal health and improving management of chronic conditions.