Cardiovascular disease, and the associated risk factors, is a significant and increasing health problem within the European Union. In terms of risk factors, in the UK 22.7% of people are obese, and in Germany 20.4%. Levels of physical activity remain low with two-thirds of the adult population in the EU not reaching recommended levels (WHO/Europe, 2006). Cardiovascular disease results in high percentages of people with a long term illness, for example, 25% in Spain, between 25% and 30% in the Czech Republic and 30% to 38% in Portugal (Eurostat, 2010).

Doctors, nurses and public health workers in Europe have a crucial role in improving public health, for example, in addressing cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity and physical inactivity. To date, there is no one European vocational education training (VET) programme that provides training for doctors, nurses and public health workers in this area of public health. This project aims to address that deficit.