SETTING UP CHRONIC DISEASE PROGRAMS: PERSPECTIVES FROM ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIA Objective: To share some perspectives on

setting up programs to improve management of hypertension, renal disease, and diabetes in high-risk populations, derived from experience in remote Australian Aboriginal settings. Principles: Regular integrated checks for chronic disease and their risk factors and appropriate treatment are essential elements of regular adult health care. Programs should be run by local health workers, following algo-rithms for testing and treatment, with back up from nurses. Constant evaluation is essential. Components: Theses include testing, treat-ment, education for individuals and commu-nities, skills and career development for staff, ongoing evaluation, program modification, an