Objective  To comprehensively evaluate the prevalence, prevention and management of cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in Shandong province for promoting effective CVD prevention and control in the province.

  Methods  A Chinese′s cardiovascular health index (CHI) system was established with literature review and Delphi consulting method. The weights of various dimensions and indexes of the system were determined with analytic hierarchy process and the original data on CVD were collected from five dimensions (namely A for disease prevalence, B for risk factor exposure, C for risk factor control, D for disease treatment, and E for public health policy and service). After homogenization, standardization, and percentaging, each dimension and total CHI score were finally obtained. Then the estimated CHI scores of Shandong province were compared with those of the whole country and its neighboring provinces.

  Results  The established CHI is composed of 52 indicators covering five dimensions, with a maximum score of 100. The estimated total CHI score for Shandong province was 52.9, ranking eighth among those for provincial level regions in the country and higher than the national average (49.4). The CHI dimension C and E score for Shandong province were 57.3 and 60.3 and the rank order of the two scores were the 8th and 10th among the scores for provincial level regions in the country from high to low; however, the rank order of CHI scores of dimension A (53.9), B (50.9) and D (38.1) were the 14th, 20th, and 20th, respectively, versus the scores of all other regions. Among the 52 indicators, the Shandong province′s scores for healthy behavior, successful smoking cessation rate, and health expense were higher than the national averages; but the scores for premature death probability, metabolic parameters, concentration of particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in mean aerodynamic diameter (PM_2.5), hypertension prevention and control, diabetes prevention and control, treatment outcomes, and residents′ health literacy were all lower than the averages.

  Conclusion   Based on the CHI evaluation on CVD prevention and control in Shandong province, the performance in risk factor prevention and control and construction of public health policy and service capability are good but the effectiveness for control of disease prevalence and risk factor exposure and for disease treatment need to be improved.