World Health Day - April 7, 2013

World Health Day will be celebrated on April 7 to mark the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.  Each year a theme is selected that highlights a priority of public health concern in the world.  This year's theme is: High Blood Pressure.

Blood Pressure Facts

1. More than 1 in 3 adults worldwide has high blood pressure.
2. 40% of adults aged 25 and over had raised blood pressure in 2008 making hypertension the leading risk of death and disability in the world today.
3. An estimated 7.3 million Canadians currently have hypertension; in 33% of those people, it is uncontrolled.
4. An additional 1 in 5 adult Canadians have prehypertension (130 mmHg to 139 mmHg systolic and/or 88 mmHg to 89 mmHg diastolic) which puts them at a very high risk of developing hypertension, and also at risk for heart attacks and strokes.
5. Over 90% of Canadians are estimated to develop hypertension if they live an average life span.

The proportion of adults diagnosed with hypertension doubled between 1998 and 2007.

The pressure is on to raise awareness. For more information, please visit the World Health Organization website.