MED-PED is a non-profit international collaborative program, recognised by the World Health Organisation and coordinated by the MED-PED Coordinating Center at the University of Utah (http://www.medped.org). The objectives of the program are to improve the detection and treatment of inherited disorders of cholesterol which affect up to 1 in 20 of the population.

Premature death from heart attack often occurs in family members who are affected by inherited cholesterol disorders. These disorders are passed from one generation to the next. It is now recognised that early deaths from heart attack can be prevented by effective lowering of blood cholesterol levels in those with inherited cholesterol disorders.

By detecting these disorders earlier in life, earlier and more effective treatment for prevention of heart attack is possible.

1. To prevent early deaths from heart disease by obtaining family histories of persons with inherited cholesterol disorders and tracing relatives who may also be affected.
2. To increase public, professional and governmental awareness of the importance of inherited high cholesterol in the community.
3. To improve the treatment of inherited high cholesterol through education, collaborative research and improved communication between the general public, health professionals and government.