High blood pressure is an epidemic as devastating as HIV4 March 2014 The response of most governments and international aid agencies to high blood pressure, or hypertension, is little better than the reaction to HIV/AIDS 20 years ago — too little too late — according to an editorial in the International Journal of Epidemiology. Hypertension is not an infectious disease, but like HIV it can lead to fatal and disabling illness. It is estimated that the number of deaths attributable to the condition globally over the next 20 years may substantially exceed the number resulting from HIV/AIDS. Yet the researchers — experts in social policy, international development, public health and HIV — say there is “denial” and misunderstanding about the impact of hypertension, despite the two conditions having a number of things in common. Both diseases can also be treated and managed as chronic conditions through a combination of drug treatment and lifestyle changes. In their editorial entitled ‘Is hypertension the new HIV epidemic?’ they write: “It has been suggested that valuable lessons for hypertension could be taken from HIV/AIDS policies. Yet there is little indication that these are being taken on board. Our response to the global epidemic of hypertension seems little better than our response to HIV/AIDS two decades ago: too little too late. Can we not wake up earlier this time, before millions have died? “HIV is a major global health priority and is recognised as a
serious threat to public health and development in many poorer
countries. Hypertension is seen as a disease of the West, of
prosperity and therefore of little relevance to poorer countries.
This is despite the growing body of evidence that prevalences in
poorer countries are quickly catching up.” “While hypertension is not an infectious disease, the risky behaviours associated with it are spreading fast and seem to be as effectively transmitted as infectious agents. “HIV was faced with political denial and public misunderstanding
in the early years of the pandemic, especially in some poorer
countries. There is a similar pattern of denial with hypertension …
This denial is based on the misguided view that hypertension does
not affect poorer social groups. Yet there is substantial evidence
that hypertension is highly prevalent among poorer groups and that
they are less likely to have access to effective treatment. As with
HIV, hypertension can be both a cause and a consequence of poverty. Prof Lloyd-Sherlock and Prof Ebrahim are co-authors (with others) of ‘Hypertension among older adults in low and middle-income countries: prevalence, awareness and control’, published in the February issue of the International Journal of Epidemiology. Reference Lloyd-Sherlock P, Ebrahim S, Grosskurth H. Is hypertension the new HIV epidemic? Int. J. Epidemiol. (2014) 43 (1): 8-10 doi:10.1093/ije/dyu019
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