The study was part of a three-grant initiative, Cost-Effective Strategies of Cholesterol-Lowering, which was recommended by the Arteriosclerosis, Hypertension, and Lipid Metabolism Advisory Committee in January, 1988 and given concept clearance at the September, 1988 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council. The Request for Applications was released in March, 1990 and awards made in April, 1991.