World Health Day Conference
By Rabi Abdallah
The risk of developing high blood pressure can be minimized through the reduction of salt intake eating a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol, controlling body weight as well as regular check of blood pressure. This is the core message of the 2013 world health day which focuses on hypertension. The media conference organized to mark the day was presided over by the Minister of state for health Dr Muhammad Ali Pate.
High blood pressure also known as hypertension is a public health problem of global concern that can affect anyone. The World Health Organisation data shows that hypertension already affects one billion people worldwide. In Nigeria, hospital records show that 1 out of every 4 Nigerian adults is hypertensive. This year’s World Health Day created an opportunity for the public to get sensitized on the risk factors of hypertension, complications and how to prevent it.
Hypertension is called a silent killer because most of the people affected by the health condition are most of the time oblivious to it, hence the need for regular blood pressure check ups.
