Cardiovascular Risk Awareness in the Czech Republic: Can We Implement Effective Measures?

Compulsory statutory health insurance provides virtually universal coverage for all citizens in the Czech Republic. Facing further West, in countries such as in the UK, Spain, and Sweden, the deployment of multiple public health campaigns tackling health risk behaviours, while promoting healthy attitudes, has been constant. Some of these efforts, driven by initiatives from governments or quasi-autonomous government organisations, have been partially successful in western countries that audit effects of public health interventions. It is, therefore, logical to imagine the importance of implementing such measures in a country of modest geographical dimensions that may act as an exemplary conduit of public health measures for Central and Eastern Europe. Then reality strikes, once the extent of the munificent availability of shopping outlets and pubs offering readily accessible, and very affordable, alcoholic beverages, or the constant lingering scent of tobacco is revealed. …