CARPHA appeals for ‘whole-of-society’ fight against high blood pressure

With the prevalence of high blood pressure in the Caribbean topping the regional average in the Americas on this World Hypertension Day, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on Monday pressed for urgent action to fight a long-standing, silent pandemic.

The call comes as figures show the region has the highest mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease accounting for 418 per 100,000 population.

“The Caribbean region has the highest prevalence of raised blood pressure in the Americas ranging from a high of 27.1 per cent to a low of 20.9 per cent,” said CARPHA executive director Dr Joy St John, stressing that “it is a cause for concern and action when in all Caribbean countries, hypertension is above the regional average for the Americas”.

World Hypertension Day is being celebrated under the theme: Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.

In a statement, the CARPHA chief appealed for a “whole of society” approach that includes governments, civil society, private sector, academia, community and faith-based organisations to reduce the prevalence of hypertension, the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, by 25 per cent in 2025 and premature deaths by a third in 2030.

CARPHA suggested public education campaigns to improve knowledge, attitude and practice to achieve the control and prevention of hypertension.

Dr St John said: “Establishing community screening programmes for the early detection of high blood pressure; ensuring capacity building of the health care workforce to accurately measure blood pressure, prevent and treat hypertension; promoting and supporting policies to increase physical activity, reduce unhealthy food environment, tobacco use, alcohol use, air pollution and stress management.”

The Trinidad-based agency said it in the process of updating a clinical guideline for the management of hypertension in primary care in the Caribbean with the help of the French Development Agency (L’Agence Française de Développement).

CARPHA is also working on the implementation of the six-point policy package to create a healthy food environment. It is backing the implementation of the octagon-shaped front-of-package warning label “High-In” model to advise consumers of products that are high in unhealthy ingredients.

Research within and outside the Caribbean has shown the front-of-package label to be the best performing system to help consumers correctly, quickly and easily identify products that contain excessive amounts of critical nutrients, said the CARPHA chief.

CARPHA said it has developed a Framework for Reduction of Sodium in Caribbean populations, a major risk factor for hypertension.

Dr St John urged Caribbean people to make this their year to commit to “healthy living, a healthy lifestyle and getting a regular check-up and for those that have hypertension,

“CARPHA encourages you to take your treatment as instructed by your health care provider.”
(SD)