Hypertension is a major public health problem across the world and in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Hypertension is the world’s leading cause of death, killing around 10.7 million people every year, more than all infectious diseases combined. In the Region, hypertension is responsible for more than one sixth of the 9 million deaths caused by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) annually, 48% of which are premature. Too many people with hypertension remain unaware of their status, which is partly why just 15% of people with high blood pressure globally have it under control, despite the many proven ways to achieve that outcome, for example by reducing and managing stress, eating a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight. To accelerate progress towards the Region’s Flagship Priorities on preventing and controlling NCDs and achieving universal health coverage (UHC), WHO will continue to support countries to strengthen the capacity of health services to provide early diagnosis and effective management of hypertension, especially at the primary level. The Sustainable Development Goal target of a one-third reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2030 can – and must – be achieved.
The Region has in recent years made strong progress to enhance access to quality NCD screening and care, including for hypertension, in line with the 2016 Colombo Declaration. All countries are implementing multisectoral NCD action plans and have reoriented primary care services based on the WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions, which includes specific tools for hypertension control. Across the Region, Member States have revised hypertension screening and treatment protocols and aligned them with WHO guidance. Access to safe and effective medicines for hypertension continues to be scaled up, reflecting the Region’s focus on increasing access to safe, effective and affordable medicines as a core part of achieving UHC. WHO will continue to support countries to overcome remaining hurdles through high-impact “best buys”, including for prevention, for example by reducing exposure to trans-fat and salt and promoting healthy lifestyles.
We mark this year’s World Hypertension Day as the Region continues the battle against COVID-19. Whereas significant disruptions in the provision of NCD services in the Region were experienced in the initial months of the outbreak, all countries have made remarkable efforts to revive and maintain essential health services, which has been one of WHO’s key points of focus, as reflected in the Declaration on the Collective Response to COVID-19. Across the Region, innovative efforts have been made to provide patient follow-up services, for example through home visits and the door-step delivery of medicines. It is nevertheless imperative that remaining demand-side barriers to the uptake of health services are identified and surmounted so that routine hypertension screening can continue, and all at-risk individuals can access the information and treatment required to effectively control their blood pressure.
Throughout the pandemic and beyond, WHO will continue to support countries to enhance the provision of people-centred primary care for NCDs generally, and awareness, screening and treatment of hypertension specifically. From the primary level up, each component of the WHO HEARTS technical package for cardiovascular diseases should be strengthened. For example, the provision of healthy-lifestyle counselling must be expanded. Adherence to evidence-based treatment protocols should be reinforced. Access to essential medicines and technology must continue to be scaled up. The capacity of health workers to provide team-based care must be secured. All countries must develop and implement robust monitoring systems that allow policy-makers and programme managers to gauge the impact of key interventions and make adjustments as, if and where required.
On World Hypertension Day, WHO reiterates its support to countries in the Region to prevent and control NCDs – including hypertension – by identifying and implementing high-impact “best buy” interventions. The Region’s ongoing quest to achieve UHC by strengthening primary care services is vital to reducing the avoidable morbidity and mortality caused by NCDs and must be complemented by multisectoral policies that promote healthy lifestyles and empower people to make health-positive choices. Together we can achieve a Region in which the burden of hypertension is substantially reduced, and in which more people enjoy more years of good health and well-being. The future is ours to make.