What is the primary goal of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)?

The primary goal of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) is to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease. This initiative provides guidelines and education aimed at lowering cholesterol levels, particularly LDL cholesterol, which is directly linked to the risk of heart disease. By focusing on managing cholesterol levels in the population, NCEP seeks to decrease the overall rates of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

The other options, while they may contribute to overall health, do not encapsulate the primary objective of the NCEP. Increasing HDL cholesterol levels is a secondary goal, as higher HDL levels are considered protective against heart disease. Reducing chronic pain is not a focus of the NCEP; rather, it is aimed at cardiovascular health specifically. Finally, while increasing physical activity is important for overall health and can support cholesterol management, it is not the main goal of the NCEP. The emphasis of the program is squarely on cholesterol management to mitigate cardiovascular disease risk.