12pc youth affected by high blood pressure, urgent sustainable funding needed

The risk of non-communicable diseases, including high blood pressure, is increasing among Bangladesh's youth. Approximately 12 percent of people aged 18 to 39 are already affected by hypertension. Experts have stressed the need for effective programmes as well as long-term funding to control the situation.

Speakers made these remarks at a webinar organised by research and advocacy organisation PROGGA on Tuesday, August 11, to mark International Youth Day 2026. The event, titled 'Hypertension Risk Among Youth and Way Forward: Bangladesh Perspective', was supported by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator.

The webinar noted that non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, account for 71 percent of all deaths in the country, with 19 percent being premature deaths. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics' 'Health and Morbidity Status Survey-2025', hypertension ranks first among the top 10 diseases in the country.

Citing data from the Bangladesh NCD STEPS Survey 2018, speakers said approximately 12 percent of those aged 18 to 39 are already suffering from high blood pressure. If measures are not taken to reduce the risk at a young age, the burden of non-communicable diseases could increase further in the future.

Professor Dr Sohel Reza Chowdhury of the National Heart Foundation said ensuring a regular supply of medicines at grassroots-level health centres is crucial to reduce premature deaths from hypertension, for which sustainable funding is essential. Professor Dr Maloy Kanti Mridha of the BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health also stressed controlling the disease through research-based prevention and treatment.

Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI, called for allocating a larger portion of the health budget to combat non-communicable diseases. Meanwhile, Mohammad Al Amin, Vice President of Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum, said the media can play an important role in ensuring proper use of the health budget and prioritising non-communicable disease control. Representatives from various youth organisations and different professions across the country participated in the webinar.