[Less salt--more health. Croatian action on salt and health (CRASH)].

Developed part of the world has realized that excessive salt intake is harmful for humans' health. Several countries have their own national programmes for reducing salt intake, and the most successful are Finland, Japan and Great Britain. National programme that was launched in Great Britain several decades ago (CASH) achieved most and should serve as an example and model for others. In 2005 this programme evolved into the World action on salt and health (WASH). According to the EU plan, salt intake should be also cut down, and salt content should be labelled on all food articles. In 2006, the First Croatian Congress on Hypertension announced Declaration of salt reducing programme in Croatia, and in 2007 at the 6th Croatian Congress on Atherosclerosis Croatian action on salt and health (CRASH), and national programme for reducing salt intake were launched. In 2008 we have started with mapping of sodium intake (determined from urine sodium excretion), and CRASH has organized several educational activities for general population, but also for physicians and nurses. CRASH and national programme are organized by Croatian Academy of Medical Science, Croatian Society of Hypertension, Croatian Atherosclerosis Society, Croatian Cardiac Society, and School of Medicine, University of Zagreb. Associations of nurses are involved in all activities, as well as students and patients. Negotiations with food industry have started. Croatian Food Agency and companies for public relations and collaboration with media are included in this important programme. Croatian Ministry of Health and Social Care supports these activities, and CRASH is included in the action of the World Health Organization on mapping sodium intake in European countries. CRASHjoins WASH and will organize several activities for the World Salt Awareness Week, which is in 2009 focused on salt eaten outside the home. We hope that Croatia will soon follow countries who have already achieved success in this struggle for reducing salt intake. Our motto is Less salt-more health, and one of our principles is based on an old proverb Firstly sweep around your own front door Thus all physicians and nurses are invited to be health enlightened and permanently active.