High blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for heart disease and stroke responsible for 13% of all deaths globally. Between 30% to 40% of the adult population of the Pacific Island countries has high blood pressure. This year WHO is focusing on high blood pressure on World Health Day 2013 (April 7) to encourage action to reduce high blood pressure.
Changing Pacific diets
There is a direct relationship between salt intake and blood pressure. Excessive intake of salt contributes to high blood pressure and high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. High salt intake also increases the risk of other diseases such as osteoporosis, stomach cancer and kidney failure.
Foods high in salt (sodium) such as canned meat, canned fish, soy sauce, instant noodles, salted fish are all common staples for many households in the Pacific Islands. The growing use of processed foods and meals eaten away from home are contributing to the high and increasing level of salt in the diet.
Pacific countries' salt reduction actions
WHO’s draft Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases includes a target for all Member States to implement programs to target a relative reduction of population salt intake by 30% by 2025. With assistance from WHO some Pacific Island countries have implemented national programmes aiming at reducing population salt intake and working towards achieving the global voluntary target for salt reduction.
For example, Fiji is implementing a campaign to raise awareness and provide practical tools to help reduce salt intake. Elements of the campaign include cooking demonstration to mothers and at schools; TV and radio ads; radio talk shows and advocacy with the food industry for voluntary reduction in salt in their respective products. Vanuatu has started their build-up using radio talk shows and community awareness, through posters and brochures. The Solomon Islands will be starting their salt reduction campaign in the coming months.
Get checked and control your blood pressure
Regular visit to the health provider for measurement of blood pressure and receive counselling and treatment is one of the main ways of controlling your blood pressure. Do you know what your blood pressure level is? Why not visit your health facility and get checked today?
For more information:
Peter Hoejskovp
WHO Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS)
Suva Office
Ph: +(679) 3234 100
Email: Hoejskovp@wpro.who.int