Immediate and effective measures are urgently needed to protect Bangladesh’s young generation from the rising threat of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), warned experts.
Unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyles, and air pollution are driving an alarming increase in these conditions among the youth, they said at a webinar titled “Hypertension Risk and the Youth of Bangladesh,” organised by the research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) on Tuesday to mark National and International Youth Day 2025.
The event was supported by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and co-hosted by youth organisations including Bangladesh Medical Students’ Society (BMSS), Platform Doctors Foundation, It’s Humanity Foundation, Youth Club of Bangladesh, Kashful Foundation, and Give Bangladesh.
This year’s Youth Day theme is “Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships.”
Speakers said NCDs, including hypertension, account for 71 percent of all deaths in Bangladesh, with 19 percent occurring prematurely.
Without prompt prevention and control, the burden of these diseases among young people will increase sharply, leading to reduced workforce productivity and greater pressure on the country’s healthcare system and economy, they said.
While the government has started providing free antihypertensive medicines, experts emphasised the need to ensure their consistent availability at all Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes nationwide.
Dr. Geeta Rani Devi, Program Manager of Community Based Health Care (CBHC), said various government initiatives are underway to combat hypertension, including distribution of medicines through Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes.
“Efforts have also been made to involve youth in these activities. Besides adopting healthy lifestyles, young people must actively participate in hypertension control programs,” she said.
Dr. Md. Maruf Haque Khan, Assistant Professor at Bangladesh Medical University’s Department of Public Health & Informatics, said, “Hypertension is a growing concern among Bangladesh’s youth. To build a healthier generation and reduce hypertension rates, changes in diet and lifestyle are essential.”
The webinar was chaired by PROGGA Executive Director ABM Zubair and moderated by PROGGA Coordinator Sadia Galiba Prova.
Participants from diverse professions and regions of Bangladesh joined the discussion.
