Abstract
This study investigated the effectiveness of the “Community Center’s Health Program” administered by a Municipal Enterprise aiming to reduce health risk factors (alcohol, smoking, diet, exercise), in 351 participants, implemented during a five-year period (2015-2020). For this purpose, quantitative and qualitative personal record data were examined. According to the results a) alcohol users decreased (- 1.20%), b) smokers decreased (-0.50%) while there was also a tendency for heavy smokers to reduce to 1-10 cigarettes per day, c) percentage of those who systematically exercise decreased while frequency of desired exercise increased (+54.40%) for those who already exercised, d) overall food consumption reduced while there was compliance with dietary guidelines at “sweets” and “salt” categories, e) course of the disease improved in 8 out of 10 disease categories, while within the desired limits remained the Mean of Blood Sugar, Total Cholesterol (-2.50%) and Blood Pressure (Systolic Blood Pressure -0,91%, Diastolic Blood Pressure -1.15%). Overall, health for part of the sample was maintained or improved. The Health Program offers indications as to its effectiveness. It can become, through improvements, an original and competent model providing community health care, filling the education gap, and patient monitoring as a reference to chronic disease management, with potentially positive results for the health system.
