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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Nancy Manning Crider, MS, RN, CNAA, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1200 Herman Pressler, Houston, TX 77030, 713-467-7535, nancy.m.crider@uth.tmc.edu

Hypertension is a major, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke and a precursor to other life-threatening conditions including kidney failure. Annually, stroke occurs in 30.9 million individuals worldwide and accounts for approximately 4 million deaths. Hypertension is estimated to cause 4.5% of current global disease burden and is as prevalent in many developing countries, as in the developed world. The recurrent and chronic morbidities associated with hypertension are costly to treat. Countries vary widely in capacity for management of hypertension, but worldwide the majority of individuals diagnosed with hypertension are inadequately controlled. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) chronic conditions presently comprise the major health burden in developed countries and low and middle-income countries are the biggest contributors to the increase in burden of disease from noncommunicable conditions. Trends for developing countries forecast a 'second-wave epidemic'. A review of the literature was completed to evaluate the global burden of hypertension, CVD and stroke in terms of disability, quality of life, and cost of care. The social and economic issues surrounding the implementation of current hypertension guidelines including a review of pharmacoeconomic analyses of antihypertensive drug therapies, their costs, and the relevant reductions in health care expenditures was also completed. Matching antihypertensive drug therapy to clinical needs was identified as a cost effective approach to hypertension management. Population health strategies to decrease the burden of disease and address socioeconomic disparities, combined with targeted approaches aimed at high risk groups were also recommended.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the social and economic burden of hypertension as an independent risk factor for stroke.
• Articulate current evidenced based hypertension guidelines.
• Identify opportunities for public health interventions and policy development to decrease hypertensive disease.

Keywords: Hypertension, Strokes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered