HEALTHEARTH Network - Newcastle, Australia
Heart Disease Study

Heart Disease Study (Albrecht, Freeman et al 1998)

Transdisciplinary (TD) thinking and complexity theory were applied to the study of coronary heart disease (CHD) prevention in the Coalfields region of NSW.  We examined how practices such as smoking, eating a diet high in saturated fat and drinking excess alcohol can be traced to “world views” associated with historical events.

We gained insights into the emergence of this complex social system by analysing the interplay of industrial history, heart disease risk factors, gender relations, and community responses to the epidemic, as well as health promotion campaigns aimed at its alleviation. (References)