It took 12 minutes in a taxi to get to my meeting in Sao Paulo last Thursday. By the evening, the same drive back to my hotel took more than two hours. Alternatives? There aren’t many – limited public transportation, a bus system that would have not provided much of an option, and certainly no […]
Hypertension and the imperative for reducing salt intake
In a recent meeting convened by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean to discuss the regional agenda for noncommunicable diseases, the crucial role of high salt intake was highlighted. This is quite appropriate considering the emphasis of this year’s World Health Day (held April 7th) on hypertension. Among the leading risk factors in […]
The Hypertension Myth
The whole concept of World Hypertension Day is misguided because it perpetutes an unfortunate myth – it implies that we can deal with “hypertension” (i.e. raised blood pressure) problem through treatment. Based on current knowledge and experiences, reductions in population blood pressure levels will be most efficiently achieved through salt intake reduction and this should […]
Hypertension in South Asian Countries – A growing monster
Asia is a large continent that has undergone pronounced demographic, epidemiologic, and socioeconomic changes in the recent decades. The South Asian countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal) form a large subcontinent within Asia and share geographic boundaries, economic and cultural similarities. It is also home to some of the world’s most populous countries. […]
Do a Death Defying Act: Get your blood pressure checked today!
High Blood Pressure or “Hypertension” in medical terms has been known to be a risk factor for premature death ever since the Actuaries at the New York Metropolitan Insurance Company started keeping a track of blood pressure measurements in their life insurance policy holders over a century ago. Doctors recognized the importance of this simple […]
Violence Against Women
Violence against women has existed throughout recorded history and continues to this day. According to the World Health Organization, “Violence against women and girls is a major health and human rights concern. Women can experience physical or mental abuse throughout their lifecycle, in infancy, childhood and/or adolescence, or during adulthood or older age.” (1) In […]