PCD Strategy Evaluation 2007.pdf - NT Health Digital Library ...

Choosing the 5 chronic conditionsThe pragmatic decision to focus on a limited number of chronic conditions was made whendeveloping the NTPCDS. It was based on those conditions that „shared common origins‟. Thisview was strongly influenced by the so-called Barker hypothesis, or the early origins of chronicdisease:‣ in utero through low birthweight‣ in infancy through poor nutrition and repeated childhood infections, and‣ subsequently aggravated by poor environmental conditions and lifestyle risk factors (13) .The five conditions selected were those that were largely preventable and were seen to affect thewhole Northern Territory population. The 5 common chronic conditions targeted were:1. Type 2 diabetes2. Hypertension3. Renal disease4. Ischaemic heart disease and5. Chronic obstructive airways disease.Building the frameworkThe NTPCDS framework identified the three key areas for action:‣ Primary prevention – targeting the low risk population‣ Early detection – targeting those at risk in the population‣ Management – targeting those with an established chronic conditionThe NTPCDS adopts a life course approach encompassing antenatal, childhood and adultinfluences on the development of chronic diseases. The range of social and medical issues in theframework is correspondingly broad. Figure 1.1 shows the NTPCDS Framework that guidesimplementation of prevention, early detection and management strategies (13) .Chapter 1: Introduction – Evaluation of the NT Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy 2007 3