Kerala Trial: Family-Based Care Cuts Heart Risks, Costs

A recent study in Kerala, India, highlights the significant impact of family-based lifestyle interventions on cardiovascular health. The PROLIFIC trial involved 1,671 adults and revealed that a structured program, including home visits by health workers for risk factor screening and counseling on diet, activity, and quitting unhealthy habits, yielded superior results.

Over two years, participants receiving this intervention showed marked improvements in blood pressure, blood glucose, BMI, and overall heart disease risk scores compared to a control group. Notably, 64% of the intervention group achieved optimal health targets, a substantial increase from the 46% in the usual care group.

This family-centered approach is particularly effective in India, where premature heart disease is a major concern. Experts suggest that integrating such programs into national health initiatives could prevent millions of deaths annually. The intervention proved cost-effective, with gains in quality-adjusted life years well within acceptable economic thresholds.

Furthermore, the program demonstrated cost efficiency in reducing specific risk factors like heart risk scores, total cholesterol, and blood glucose. Researchers emphasized that implementing these interventions on a larger scale further enhances their economic viability by spreading fixed costs across more participants.