The webinar titled “Hypertension Risk and the Youth of Bangladesh” was held today. Photo : Collected

DHAKA, August 12, 2025 (BSS) – Speakers at a webinar today called for immediate and effective measures to combat the growing threat of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the youth of Bangladesh.

They said unhealthy dietary habits, lack of physical activity, sedentary lifestyles, and air pollution are contributing to an alarming rise in hypertension among young people. 

NCDs, including hypertension, are responsible for 71 percent of all deaths in Bangladesh, with 19 percent occurring prematurely, said the speakers, adding that without urgent intervention, the youth will face increased disease burden, reduced productivity, and mounting pressure on the healthcare system and economy.

The webinar titled “Hypertension Risk and the Youth of Bangladesh” was organized by research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), marking National and International Youth Day 2025, said a press release.

Youth organizations including Bangladesh Medical Students’ Society (BMSS), Platform Doctors Foundation, It’s Humanity Foundation, Youth Club of Bangladesh, Kashful Foundation, and Give Bangladesh co-hosted the event. 

This year’s Youth Day is being observed under the theme “Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships.”

Community-Based Health Care (CBHC) Program Manager Dr Geeta Rani Devi said that the government is taking steps to combat hypertension, including the distribution of anti-hypertensive medicines through Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes. She emphasized the importance of youth engagement in these initiatives and the need for healthy lifestyle adoption.

Assistant Professor at the Department of Public Health and Informatics of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) Dr. Md. Maruf Haque Khan said that hypertension is becoming a major concern among youth and stressed the need for changes in diet and lifestyle to build a healthier generation.

With PROGGA’s Executive Director ABM Zubair in the chair, the webinar was moderated by Coordinator Sadia Galiba Prova. Participants from various professions and regions across the country joined the discussion.