[re: https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/46-adults-hypertension-are-unaware-they... ]
Thank you, Neil, for sharing this significant WHO report.
The global burden of hypertension, affecting an estimated 1.4 billion individuals with fewer than 20% adequately controlled, underscores the urgency of prioritizing hypertension within national and international health agendas. The report’s call to strengthen detection, treatment, and control — particularly at the primary health care level — is both timely and essential.
I note with particular importance the emphasis on ensuring equitable access to affordable, quality-assured antihypertensive medicines and validated blood pressure devices. These foundational elements, combined with the systematic integration of routine blood pressure measurement into primary care, represent pragmatic and high-impact interventions. Furthermore, the recognition of hypertension as a “silent killer” reinforces the need for intensified public awareness and health literacy campaigns.
Equally critical is the report’s focus on continuity of care and adherence. Sustainable improvements in hypertension control require not only initial diagnosis and treatment but also long-term follow-up, patient engagement, and robust health system support. Embedding these measures within the broader framework of universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals is indispensable to achieving meaningful progress.
This report provides clear direction for policymakers, health systems, and partners. Its recommendations, if implemented comprehensively, hold the potential to save millions of lives, reduce the economic burden of noncommunicable diseases, and strengthen global health security.
best regards
julius mutiso
HIFA profile: Mathenge Julius Mutiso is a Lecturer at Kenya Medical Training College, in Kenya. Professional interests: Infectious Diseases & Public Health: HIV, tuberculosis, COVID-19, and emerging diseases. Implementation Science: designing, implementing, and evaluating healthcare interventions, especially in African contexts. Medical Microbiology: diagnostics, laboratory testing, and applied epidemiological approaches. Email: mutisojulius11 AT gmail.com