Hypertension, often referred to as the ‘silent killer’, has emerged as a growing public health crisis across Southeast Asia, affecting more than 294 million people, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement ahead of World Hypertension Day, observed annually on 17 May.
The disease remains a leading cause of premature death from heart attacks and strokes in the region.
India alone accounts for over 220 million individuals living with high blood pressure, with one in every three adults affected, according to WHO estimates.
The majority of these cases go unnoticed or inadequately treated, contributing significantly to the country’s noncommunicable disease burden.
Saima Wazed, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, highlighted that hypertension continues to be a ‘major public health challenge’.
She warned that the unmet need, defined as the proportion of people with hypertension who remain undiagnosed, untreated, or uncontrolled, remains worryingly high at 88 per cent.
“This indicates that 9 out of every 10 people with hypertension are not receiving optimal care,” she said.
Theme & Awareness Drive
This year’s theme for World Hypertension Day is ‘Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer’.
It underscores the importance of regular and precise blood pressure monitoring to prevent complications such as stroke, kidney failure, and heart disease.
The WHO has urged people to take charge of their health by modifying risk behaviours.
These include reducing salt and trans-fat consumption, maintaining physical activity, quitting tobacco and alcohol, and managing mental stress.
Wazed emphasised the need for comprehensive policy interventions and better health system integration.
“We must intensify efforts to promote healthy diets, physical activity, and implement effective tobacco and alcohol control measures,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of inter-programmatic collaboration between maternal and child health, mental health, and infectious disease services, which could contribute significantly to early detection and management of hypertension and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
With sustained political will, community engagement, and innovative strategies, WHO believes the burden of hypertension can be significantly reduced.
These efforts are vital to achieving the global target of reducing premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
As Southeast Asia confronts this silent yet deadly epidemic, WHO’s call to action aims to spark policy reforms, increase health screenings, and foster a healthier, more resilient population.
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