Effective steps needed to reduce high blood pressure risk among youths

The prevalence of various non-communicable diseases, including high blood pressure, is increasing at an alarming rate among the youth in Bangladesh. Appropriate programs and sustainable financing are essential to address this crisis.

On the occasion of International Youth Day 2026, research and advocacy organization Progga (Knowledge for Progress) organized a seminar titled “ High Blood Pressure Risks and Actions in Youth: Bangladesh Perspective ” The speakers expressed these views in a webinar titled “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”.

The event was co-organized by youth organizations Bangladesh Medical Students ’ Society, Platform Doctors Foundation, It’s Humanity Foundation and Give Bangladesh with the support of Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). The day will be celebrated tomorrow, August 12, with the theme “ Different Contexts, Common Aspirations ” .

The webinar informed that non-communicable diseases, including high blood pressure, are responsible for 71 percent of total deaths in Bangladesh, and 19 percent of these deaths are premature deaths. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) 'Health and Morbidity Status Survey-2025', high blood pressure is number one in the list of top 10 diseases in Bangladesh. According to the ' Bangladesh NCD Steps Survey, 2018 ' , about 12 percent of the population aged 18-39 is affected by high blood pressure.

This crisis will become serious if effective steps are not taken now.

Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Chowdhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, said, “ Sustainable financing is essential to ensure regular supply of medicines to all grassroots healthcare centers to reduce premature deaths due to high blood pressure. This can be the most profitable investment in building a healthy young generation. ”

“ High blood pressure can be effectively controlled through research-based treatment and preventive measures, ” said Dr. Malay Kanti Mridha, a professor at the BRAC James P. Grants School of Public Health.

Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI, said, “ Increasing the health budget is a very good step. A significant portion of the increased health budget should be spent on combating various non-communicable diseases, including high blood pressure. ”

Mohammad Al Amin, Vice President of Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum (BHRF) and Deputy Editor of Daily Sun, said, “The media can play a special role in ensuring that the government prioritizes non-communicable disease control in using the health budget .”

Aminul Islam Sujan, Consultant at Vital Strategies, was also present as a panelist in the webinar. The webinar was chaired by ABM Zubair, Executive Director of Progga, and moderated by Samiha Binte Kamal, Program Officer of Progga. People from various walks of life, including youth organizations, from different regions of the country, participated in the webinar.