The campbell Soup Company program.

During the past 15 years, employees at more than 20 Campbell Soup Company plants have become involved in screening efforts aimed at modifying risk factors that might be associated with premature atherosclerosis. Many employees with significant risk factors have been identified and have been offered guidance to inculcate behaviors associated with reduced risk. Interventions have been made available for various problems including hypertension, hyperlipidemia or obesity, exercise, and smoking cessation. In most cases, persons needing drug therapy for hypertension or hyperlipidemia were referred for treatment by an outside physician, but their progress was monitored in the Company program. At a few locations, in-house treatment of hypertension was offered to employees who had no personal physician. Our experience suggests that health professionals who demonstrate a caring attitude and who initiate and promote regular follow-up can successfully change important health-related behaviors.