World Health Day 2013

April 7 is World Health Day.  This day marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.  Each year the WHO selects a theme for World Health Day to provide focus on key priorities affecting public health.  The theme for 2013 is Hypertension (high blood pressure).

                                

I’ve discussed hypertension in prior posts, but let me review some key information that will help you understand why this is a global public health priority.

• Hypertension is the leading risk factor for death worldwide.
• Greater than 30% of adults worldwide have blood pressure equal to or above 140/90 yet are unaware of this risk.
• The number of people known to have hypertension increased from 600 million in 1980 to 1 billion in 2008.
• Complications from high blood pressure may account for more than 9 million deaths worldwide each year.

Hypertension and the outcomes of untreated or poorly treated high blood pressure have far reaching impacts that affect people and the global economy

• Early death
• Disability
• Loss of income
• Workforce reductions
• Costs of medical care:  personal, community and national

 Hypertension is a preventable and a treatable condition.  Successful medical intervention can significantly reduce the risks of mortality from cardiovascular disease in at-risk populations.  Hypertension can be prevented and the risks of existing hypertension reduced by simple lifestyle interventions:

• Reducing salt intake
• Having a balanced nutrition plan
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Regularly monitoring blood pressure
• Avoiding excessive/harmful use of alcohol
• Reducing stress

High blood pressure is a silent killer.  This is one instance where what you don’t know can hurt you.  Early detection and treatment are the keys to reducing the impact of high blood pressure.  The global challenge is awareness and access.  Communication and increasing public awareness are of vital, but we continue to have challenges in terms of access to quality, affordable care and support of healthy lifestyles.  The 2013 World Health Day campaign will help provide focus on prevention and control with the goal being to reduce the global impact of this disease.  You can assist in these efforts by sharing the messaging from the WHO site, being an emissary in your community, supporting free health screenings and being a global advocate for quality, affordable care. 

  

References:

http://www.who.int/world-health-day/en/