The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published its inaugural report on the global impact of high blood pressure, providing recommendations on how to combat the disease. The report, released on Tuesday, revealed that approximately four out of every five people with hypertension are not receiving adequate treatment. If countries can expand their coverage, the report suggests that 76 million deaths could be prevented between 2023 and 2050.
Hypertension affects one in three adults worldwide and is associated with serious health issues such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney damage. The report highlights that the number of people living with hypertension has doubled from 650 million in 1990 to 1.3 billion in 2019. Alarmingly, almost half of those with hypertension are unaware of their condition, and the majority reside in low and middle-income countries.
While factors like older age and genetics can increase the risk of high blood pressure, modifiable risk factors such as consuming a high-salt diet, lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol consumption also contribute to hypertension. The report emphasizes that making lifestyle changes like adopting a healthier diet, quitting tobacco, and increasing physical activity can help lower blood pressure. Additionally, some individuals may require medication to effectively control hypertension and prevent complications.
Prevention, early detection, and effective management of hypertension are deemed cost-effective interventions in healthcare and should be prioritized by countries as part of their national health benefit packages at the primary care level. The report reveals that improved hypertension treatment programs yield economic benefits that outweigh the costs by a ratio of 18 to one.
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, stresses that hypertension can be effectively controlled with affordable medication regimens, yet only a small fraction of individuals with hypertension manage to control it. He describes hypertension control programs as neglected, under-prioritized, and significantly underfunded. Strengthening hypertension control should be an integral part of every country's pursuit of universal health coverage, built upon well-functioning, equitable, and resilient health systems grounded in primary healthcare.
Ghebreyesus launched the report during the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, which focuses on progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, including health-related objectives such as pandemic preparedness, tuberculosis eradication, and achieving Universal Health Coverage. He asserts that improved prevention and control of hypertension are crucial for advancements in all of these areas. By increasing the number of effectively treated hypertensive patients to match levels seen in high-performing countries, an estimated 76 million deaths, 120 million strokes, 79 million heart attacks, and 17 million cases of heart failure could be prevented by 2050.
Michael Bloomberg, the WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, states that the majority of heart attacks and strokes worldwide can be avoided through the use of affordable, safe, and accessible medications. He believes that treating hypertension through primary healthcare will not only save lives but also result in significant annual cost savings.
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