Economic Impact of Salt Reduction on Cardiovascular Diseases in Pakistan
Event Type
Research Presentation
Location
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Start Date
25-4-2025 1:00 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 2:30 PM
Description
Under the direction of Dr. Pablo Hernandez
Excessive salt consumption is widely recognized as a leading cause of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (hereinafter CVD) (Jacques et al, 2021). Recent estimates by the World Health Organization (hereinafter WHO) highlight the growing burden of hypertension and CVDs globally, which obstruct public health improvements and strain national health systems (WHO, 2024). In Pakistan, these trends underline the urgency of adopting cost-effective strategies and national-level policies for the prevention and control of hypertension (Yakoob et al, 2016). Persistent retrogress in a country’s public health sphere extends beyond direct negative impacts on individuals’ health, as early hypertension and CVD can impact an economy through increased healthcare costs, reduced labor productivity, and financial strain on households (Watkins et al., 2015). Different scholars highlight the importance of addressing dietary risk factors like high salt intake to prevent early cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reduce the economic burden associated with chronic diseases (Watkins et al., 2015). We plan to analyze how excessive salt consumption contributes to early CVD prevalence in Pakistan and explore the economic consequences associated with such timely phenomenon, including increased healthcare spending and the financial burden on households. Ultimately, the goal behind such analysis can help chart a course to assess the cost-effectiveness of potential interventions, like public health policies aimed at reducing salt intake, and their broader economic impacts. The question we pose is as follows: What are the economic and health impacts of population-wide salt reduction policies on cardiovascular disease prevalence in Pakistan? We argue that a reduction in dietary salt consumption will significantly lower the prevalence of CVD and associated healthcare costs.
Economic Impact of Salt Reduction on Cardiovascular Diseases in Pakistan
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Under the direction of Dr. Pablo Hernandez
Excessive salt consumption is widely recognized as a leading cause of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (hereinafter CVD) (Jacques et al, 2021). Recent estimates by the World Health Organization (hereinafter WHO) highlight the growing burden of hypertension and CVDs globally, which obstruct public health improvements and strain national health systems (WHO, 2024). In Pakistan, these trends underline the urgency of adopting cost-effective strategies and national-level policies for the prevention and control of hypertension (Yakoob et al, 2016). Persistent retrogress in a country’s public health sphere extends beyond direct negative impacts on individuals’ health, as early hypertension and CVD can impact an economy through increased healthcare costs, reduced labor productivity, and financial strain on households (Watkins et al., 2015). Different scholars highlight the importance of addressing dietary risk factors like high salt intake to prevent early cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reduce the economic burden associated with chronic diseases (Watkins et al., 2015). We plan to analyze how excessive salt consumption contributes to early CVD prevalence in Pakistan and explore the economic consequences associated with such timely phenomenon, including increased healthcare spending and the financial burden on households. Ultimately, the goal behind such analysis can help chart a course to assess the cost-effectiveness of potential interventions, like public health policies aimed at reducing salt intake, and their broader economic impacts. The question we pose is as follows: What are the economic and health impacts of population-wide salt reduction policies on cardiovascular disease prevalence in Pakistan? We argue that a reduction in dietary salt consumption will significantly lower the prevalence of CVD and associated healthcare costs.