Experts urge decisive actions to curb hypertension risk among youth

Experts have called for immediate, decisive action to safeguard the country's youth from growing health threats including hypertension and other non-communicable diseases.

Speaking at a webinar today (12 August), they warned that the prevalence of these diseases is increasing among them at an alarming rate due to unhealthy dietary habits, physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyles, and air pollution. 

Research and advocacy organisation PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) organised the event, in observance of National and International Youth Day 2025. This year the day's theme is "Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation through Technology and Partnerships."

NCDs, including hypertension, account for 71% of all deaths in Bangladesh, with 19% occurring prematurely, the experts said. 

Without urgent intervention, they cautioned, the disease burden among young people will surge—threatening workforce productivity and placing heavy strain on healthcare and the economy.

While the government has begun providing free medicines for hypertension, speakers stressed the need to ensure availability at all Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes.

"Various government initiatives are underway to combat hypertension, including the provision of anti-hypertensive medicines through Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes," said Dr Geeta Rani Devi, programme manager, Community Based Health Care (CBHC). "Steps have been taken to integrate youth into Community Clinic activities." 

She also emphasised the importance of young people actively participating in prevention and control initiatives.

Dr Md Maruf Haque Khan, assistant professor at Bangladesh Medical University's Department of Public Health & Informatics, said, "Hypertension is becoming a growing concern among the youth of Bangladesh. To build a healthy young generation and reduce its prevalence, changes in dietary habits and lifestyle are essential."

The webinar, chaired by PROGGA's Executive Director ABM Zubair, was supported by Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and co-organised by Bangladesh Medical Students' Society (BMSS), Platform Doctors Foundation, It's Humanity Foundation, Youth Club of Bangladesh, Kashful Foundation, and Give Bangladesh.