TITLE: World Health Organization Report Highlights High Blood Pressure as Leading Risk Factor for Death and Disability
DATE: [Current Date]
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first report on the global impact of high blood pressure, shedding light on the dangerous effects of this condition and elevating it as one of the leading risk factors for death and disability worldwide.
Published on Tuesday, this groundbreaking report by WHO, titled “The Global Impact of High Blood Pressure,” emphasizes the need for effective measures to combat what is commonly referred to as the “silent killer.”
According to the report, hypertension, defined as a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher, affects approximately one in three adults worldwide. This condition not only increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes but also leads to other health issues such as heart failure, kidney damage, and even death.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, highlighted the importance of controlling hypertension, stating that “Hypertension can be controlled effectively with simple, low-cost medication regimens, and yet only about one in five people with hypertension have controlled it.”
WHO identifies Canada and South Korea as high-performing countries, as they have successfully implemented comprehensive national hypertension treatment programs. Both countries have achieved a blood pressure control rate of over 50% in adults with hypertension.
The report further emphasizes that effective treatment of hypertension could prevent an estimated 76 million deaths between 2023 and 2030 worldwide. It recommends implementing preventative measures such as maintaining a healthy diet, weight, and lifestyle choices, including avoiding alcohol and tobacco and engaging in regular physical exercise.
Lowering daily sodium intake is also highlighted as a key tactic in combating hypertension. WHO recommends a daily sodium intake of less than 2,000 milligrams, while the estimated global average salt intake exceeds this value, at 10.8 grams per day.
Furthermore, the report reveals that the United States, where hypertension affects approximately 32% of people aged 30 to 79, scored 3 out of 4 in terms of sodium policy implementation and declaration of sodium on pre-packaged food.
The WHO report emphasizes the enormous financial burden hypertension and its complications impose on patients, healthcare systems, and national economies worldwide.
Dr. Tom Frieden, president and CEO of the organization Resolve to Save Lives and former director of the CDC, highlights the preventable nature of hypertension-related deaths, stating that “Most of these deaths are caused by high blood pressure, and most could have been prevented.”
In order to achieve a 50% control rate for hypertension in the United States, the report estimates that an additional 693,000 people would need to be effectively treated. It suggests that governments worldwide commit to providing affordable and accessible hypertension care that strengthens primary healthcare.
The WHO report on high blood pressure serves as a wake-up call, urging individuals, healthcare providers, and governments to prioritize the prevention and control of this significant health issue. By addressing hypertension and its underlying causes, it is possible to save millions of lives and improve global health outcomes.