The prevalence of high blood pressure and heart disease among the youth in the country is increasing at an alarming rate. The incidence of these diseases is more common among young people due to unhealthy and excessive trans fat diet, sports and sedentary lifestyle, smoking, obesity etc. The speakers spoke at a webinar organized by advocacy and research institute Pragya (Knowledge for Progress) on Saturday to mark International Youth Day.
In the webinar titled 'High blood pressure and heart disease risk and our youth society', the speakers said that youth should be free from high blood pressure and heart disease risk. They said high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and death. One in five adults in the country has high blood pressure, which is very alarming. According to Census and Household Census 2022, the total number of youth in the country is 4.59 million. Ensuring provision of high blood pressure treatment and medicines at all primary health care centers to protect the youth. Also healthy living; For example, public-private joint initiatives are needed to create widespread public awareness about avoiding excessive salt intake, avoiding fast food and trans fat foods, not smoking, regular exercise and being physically active.
The webinar urged the government to implement the 'Trans Fatty Acids Control Regulations 2021' to address the heart disease risk caused by trans fats. Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) has supported this event on the occasion of International Youth Day-2022.
GHAI official Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, National Heart Foundation professor Dr. Dr. Sohel Reza Chowdhury, program manager of non-communicable disease control program of the Department of Health. Dr. Fazle Elahi Khan, Cardiologist at LabAid Specialized Hospital. Sumant Kumar Saha, Pragya Executive Director ABM Zubair. The webinar was moderated by Pragya Coordinator Mahmud Al Islam Shihab. Youth representatives from different regions of the country and people from different classes participated in it.
