The European Program for Prevention (EPP) – Implementing Proven Preventing Measures Now!
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading global cause of mortality and disability, with significant disparities observed across countries. This is particularly true in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), where populations are primarily at high and very high CVD risk. Highlighting modifiable risk factors underscores the urgent need for effective prevention programs. This paper introduces the European Program for Prevention (EPP), an initiative by the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP), designed to address these challenges. The EPP aims to enhance awareness and knowledge of validated preventive healthcare solutions implemented in CEE countries, showcase the region's potential for innovative strategies, and evaluate the adaptability of successful programs for broader implementation. The EPP strongly supports the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, as well as initiatives by the World Heart Federation (WHF) and World Health Organization (WHO), by promoting best practices, early detection, integrated prevention frameworks, training, cross-border cooperation, and policy development. It advocates shifting healthcare priorities towards pre-disease prevention, thus reducing reliance on resource-intensive treatments. The program proposes an optimal CVD prevention system that includes mandatory health education, screening programs for familial hypercholesterolemia and universal Lp(a) screening, and comprehensive check-ups, notably integrated, comprehensive care programs. By leveraging existing validated programs and fostering collaboration, the EPP seeks to reduce the burden of CVD, improve outcomes, and promote cardiovascular health across Europe and beyond.
Authors
- Žaneta Petrulionienė (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7408-4671)
- Ivan Pećin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4425-6473)
- Dragoş Vinereanu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9054-8779)
- Margus Viigimaa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5575-5978)
- R Češka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2541-5179)
- Zlatko Fras (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5736-8904)
- Olena Mitchenko
- Bojko Bjelaković (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7879-5793)
- Dan Gaiță (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0320-6779)
- György Paragh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6791-3870)
- Arman Postadzhiyan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7643-142X)
- Željko Reiner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4932-4212)
- Maciej Banach (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6690-6874)
- Dragan Djurić (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2196-9438)
- G. Bajraktari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9640-5652)
- Gustavs Latkovskis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1322-7920)
- Robert Gil (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9041-3313)
- Jacek Jerzy Jozwiak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2645-7274)
- Anca Pantea Stoian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0555-526X)
- Ibadete Bytyçi
- Michal Vráblík (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7226-1926)
- Daniel Pella (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9999-6271)
- Piotr Szymański (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9486-7892)
- Branislav Vohnout (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6400-2200)
- Raimondas Kubilius (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6117-1132)
Institutions
- Tallinn University of Technology (EE)
- John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (PL)
- Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LT)
- University of Debrecen (HU)
- University Hospital Centre Zagreb (HR)
- Johns Hopkins University (US)
- University of Nis (RS)
- University of Ljubljana (SI)
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO)
- Slovak Medical University (SK)
- University of Opole (PL)
- Vilnius University (LT)
- University of Zagreb (HR)
- University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik (SK)
- Charles University (CZ)
- Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest (RO)
- Johns Hopkins Medicine (US)
- Ljubljana University Medical Centre (SI)
- Medical University of Sofia (BG)
- University of Belgrade (RS)
- University Clinical Center of Kosovo (XK)
- Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara (RO)
- North Estonia Medical Centre (EE)
- Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital (LV)
- Medical University of Lodz (PL)
- Ministry of Interior and Administration (PL)
- Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine (PL)
- General University Hospital in Prague (CZ)
- University of Prishtina (XK)
- Umeå University (SE)
- University of Latvia (LV)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Global Heart
- Published
- 2025-11-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.5334/gh.1491
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.01