Last month, the World Health Organisation released its first-ever report on hypertension, the world’s leading killer.
Please pause for a moment to consider that sentence. World’s leading killer. First report ever.
High blood pressure kills an estimated 10.8 million people every year. That’s more than all people killed by infectious diseases every year. More than killed by the Covid-19 pandemic at its worst. More than lost their lives in any year of war for all of human history, with the possible exception of the peak of the Second World War. It’s one death every three seconds – about 100 by the time you finish reading this essay.
Why, since hypertension is the world’s leading cause of death, did it take until 2023 for there to be a global report on hypertension?
I don’t know for sure, but I suspect three deadly reasons. First, cardiovascular disease – for which hypertension is the leading risk factor – is so common it has become invisible. Second, we assume it’s inevitable. Third, we may believe it’s “only” old people.
Hypertension is a pandemic, and the deadliest of our time. It’s not inevitable: it can be prevented, and, once it develops, treated to prevent heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems. Millions of those who die are under age 70, particularly in lower-income countries; for those who die over age 70, uncontrolled hypertension has often caused years of disability and suffering.
The world’s most deadly condition is also the most neglected. The number of people living with the condition has more than doubled since 1990, to 1.3 billion. Only approximately one in five people with hypertension are adequately treated.
Hypertension prevalence is higher in Middle Eastern countries, on average, than anywhere else in the world. No country in the region has reached the 50 per cent control level that is a global benchmark of effective care.
But there’s good news. The first-ever report not only details the staggering burden of hypertension but also finds that over the next 25 years, improved blood pressure control could avert more than 70 million deaths and approximately 120 million strokes and 80 million heart attacks.
Prevention and effective treatment are possible – but they require societal action and leadership more than individual behaviour change. Improving hypertension control could save more lives than any other adult primary healthcare intervention.
The single-most effective way to prevent hypertension is to reduce the amount of sodium in the food everyone eats. Preindustrial societies consumed a small fraction of the sodium that we do currently and didn’t have any age-related increase in blood pressure – an increase we’ve come to view, incorrectly, as an inevitable part of the ageing process. We don’t have to become hunter-gatherers to reduce our sodium consumption, but reducing sodium is extremely difficult for individuals to do because there is so much sodium in our modern diet.
A best-practice policy is to require black stop-sign warnings on unhealthy food. This type of label has been shown to be much more effective than traffic light or other labels; it improves the options, as companies rapidly reformulate food to be healthier, and the choices, as consumers buy healthier food.
A second best-practice approach, promotion of low-sodium salts – which generally contain 15-30 per cent potassium – has been shown to substantially reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. These salts are safe for everyone other than people with serious kidney disease, who should avoid high-potassium foods such as figs, dates and pomegranates as well as potassium-containing salt.
Treatment of hypertension works. Every health system should track and improve the proportion of the estimated number of all people with high blood pressure who have it under control. Only three countries reach even half: Canada, Costa Rica and South Korea. Every other country can improve a lot, and even those three countries can improve. Countries that improve their hypertension control rate will save lots of lives, because, by far, controlling hypertension can save more adult lives than any other clinical intervention.
Lack of access to medications condemns millions of people to avoidable heart attacks and strokes
The WHO report summarised data from 32 countries that have enrolled 17 million patients into treatment programmes that follow the WHO Hearts guidelines. My organisation, Resolve to Save Lives, partners with WHO and many of the countries implementing these programmes. The bottom line is that the programmes are highly effective through five strategies.
For starters, there is a need for practical, standardised, drug- and dose-specific treatment protocols. Effective protocols provide a straightforward stepwise formula; the best healthcare system in the US, Kaiser-Permanente, uses this type of protocol.
Next, there must be reliable access to affordable hypertension medicines and independently validated blood pressure monitors. Although treatment can cost as little as $5-10 for every patient every year, lack of access to medications condemns millions of people to avoidable heart attacks and strokes.
Just as vital is team‐based care, involving primary healthcare workers accessible to patients to provide care following physician‐directed protocols.
Patient‐centred services are also important, especially medications provided with no out-of-pocket cost and services that reduce barriers to adherence.
Finally, healthcare workers need user-centred information systems that make their jobs less difficult and improve quality of care. These systems will provide real‐time feedback on adherence and blood pressure control of individual patients and facilitate programme assessment and quality improvement initiatives by health systems, health directors, and ministry of health staff.
It costs about 1 cent a pill for the first-line medicines that treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar. The main three medicines are amlodipine for blood pressure control, atorvastatin for cholesterol and metformin for sugar. All are generic and low-cost. It wouldn’t cost that much to offer these medications free to countries that set up systems to provide effective, accountable care.
For example, the Bangladesh Hypertension Control Initiative has enrolled 200,000 patients and achieved a blood pressure control rate of 60 per cent among treated patients. The programme has the potential to expand to offer treatment to every patient in the country quickly.
As countries in the Middle East, and particularly in the Gulf, gain economic strength and regional and global political influence, they can lead efforts to curb the world’s leading killer by implementing at home and supporting abroad proven means to prevent and treat hypertension.
Despite being the world’s leading single cause of death, less than 1 per cent of global health funding goes to fight cardiovascular disease. By leading at home and investing in philanthropic support abroad, a country can become the world leader against the world’s leading killer, accelerate progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, save millions of lives, and help people live longer, stay healthier, and enjoy more productive lives with less disability.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Brief scores:
Everton 2
Walcott 21', Sigurdsson 51'
Tottenham 6
Son 27', 61', Alli 35', Kane 42', 74', Eriksen 48'
Man of the Match: Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
List of alleged parties
- May 15 2020: Boris Johnson is said to have attended a Downing Street pizza party
- 27 Nov 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
- Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
- Dec 13 2020: Mr Johnson and his then-fiancee Carrie Symonds throw a flat party
- Dec 14 2020: Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative Party headquarters
- Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
- Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
MATCH INFO
World Cup qualifier
Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')
UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Brief scoreline:
Tottenham 1
Son 78'
Manchester City 0
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Bullet%20Train
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
Results
United States beat UAE by three wickets
United States beat Scotland by 35 runs
UAE v Scotland – no result
United States beat UAE by 98 runs
Scotland beat United States by four wickets
Fixtures
Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland
Admission is free
Results
2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly
3pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
4pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Lady Snazz, Saif Al Balushi, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
