Heart of Mersey

Launched in 2003, Heart of Mersey (HoM) is based on the successful model of coronary heart disease prevention developed in North Karelia, Finland, and is a regional demonstration project for England with the World Health Organisation's Countrywide Integrated Non-communicable Diseases Intervention (CINDI).

HoM became a charity in 2005 following widespread consultation with its partners. Having charitable status allows us to strengthen our advocacy and to increase capacity to attract funding at a level required to support our work across Greater Merseyside.

As a charity we pledge to undertake and promote medical and scientific research and education in relation to the prevention of heart disease in, but not limited to, Greater Merseyside and other areas in Northwest England.

HoM works collaboratively with the public, private and independent sectors across Greater Merseyside, covering the areas of Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.

The main aims of Heart of Mersey:
• to reduce coronary heart disease deaths by 40% in the under 75s by 2010
• to reduce coronary heart disease incidence by 20% by 2010
• to tackle health inequalities

The programme is also concerned with the key risk factors associated with the above, including poor diet, smoking (including second-hand smoke) and physical inactivity. To address these, HoM has set out the following targets:

Food:
• to reduce mean dietary fat intake in Merseyside to 30% of total energy intake by 2008, of which a maximum of 10% should be saturated fats
• to reduce the population mean level of serum total cholesterol (through reduction of saturated fat in the diet) by 10% in 2008
• to increase the percentage of the population eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day by 2008
• to reduce the total salt intake in the diet
• to reduce the total and frequency of sugar intake in the diet

Tobacco:
• to support the work towards a smoke free Greater Merseyside

Physical activity:
• to support the need to create an environment which promotes being physically active as a normal and enjoyable part of everyday life

Related Links:

For more information, see the Heart of Mersey website at:

www.heartofmersey.org.uk