One in Four Adults in Karnataka Found Hypertensive: Health Minister

Quick Summary

• Karnataka’s Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao identified hypertension as a major health issue in the state, exceeding the national average with prevalence rates of 25% among women and 26.9% among men aged above 15 (NFHS-5 report).
• The Minister called hypertension a “silent epidemic,” emphasizing its links to strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, and premature deaths.
• The economic impact includes increased hospitalizations, productivity loss, and financial strain on families.
• Measures promised include: expansion of community-level screening under NPCDCS; promotion of lifestyle changes like healthier diets, exercise programs, and reduced salt intake; availability of medicines and diagnostics at Health and Wellness Centres; community awareness campaigns on early detection.
• Concerns were raised about childhood hypertension by oncologist U.S. Vishal Rao-no State is conducting school screenings despite rising cases linked to obesity, poor diet choices (junk/oily food), sedentary lifestyles, and lack of awareness.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Karnataka’s prioritization of addressing hypertension must be viewed not only as a healthcare imperative but also as a policy step with far-reaching consequences for public well-being. With nearly one in four adults in the state affected by this condition per NFHS-5 findings-and its cascading association with life-threatening ailments-the government’s proposed multifaceted approach signals urgency but will require diligent execution across urban and rural sectors alike.

The focus on lifestyle interventions paired with expanded screening aligns effectively with preventive healthcare frameworks globally. Though,gaps remain-such as insufficient attention to childhood trends highlighted by experts like Dr. Vishal Rao-which could demand more precise policy alignment towards schools or younger demographics.

Ultimately, fighting this “silent epidemic” rests on consistent data monitoring alongside ensuring that resources like medications remain universally accessible at Health Centres while public attitudes shift towards prevention over reactive care models.

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