World Health Day: hypertension a major concern

This year, World Health Day is dedicated to hypertension, a condition that affects nearly 18% of Canadians. Among baby-boomers, that percentage climbs to 25%.

High blood pressure is one of the main causes of heart and kidney failure and stroke and is the world’s leading cause of death. A number of factors are responsible: diet, physical exercise, weight, smoking, alcohol use, and sodium consumption.

In November, the New Democratic Party tabled Bill C-460, Sodium Reduction Strategy Act. This strategy seeks to reduce sodium levels in processed foods and improve labelling and the regulation of high-sodium content food advertisements targeting children.

Compared to the federal government’s 20 years of inaction, the NDP is once again showing leadership by proposing concrete ways to improve the health of Canadians.

On this World Health Day, we encourage all citizens to reflect on their lifestyles and make their health a priority.