After the Czech government stopped subsidizing butter and fatty meats, heart disease deaths in men dropped dramatically over the next two decades.
Scientific Claim
Between 1991 and 2010, coronary heart disease mortality in Czech men declined sharply, coinciding with a major economic policy that eliminated subsidies for animal fats and led to reduced dietary intake of saturated fats.
Original Statement
“An unexpected peak occurred in 1990... with a prominent downward trend continuing until 2010... the dramatic decline in CHD mortality since 1991 should be attributed solely to lifestyle modifications.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The temporal association is clearly documented, but the observational design cannot prove the policy caused the decline. 'Coinciding with' is appropriate.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Rapid Drop in Coronary Heart Disease Mortality in Czech Male Population—What Was Actually behind It?
When the Czech government stopped subsidizing fatty foods like butter and lard, people ate less of them, their blood cholesterol dropped, and far fewer men died of heart disease—without any new medicines being used.