Fact sheet of cardiovascular disease in the Region of the americas

Fact Sheet on Chronic Disease Situation of the Region of theAmericas

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention through Dietary Salt Reduction-Final Report of the first Expert Group meeting (9-10 September 2009): There is an urgent need to turn knowledge into action regarding the dangers of high dietary salt. The scientific case is strong – salt is a risk factor for a number of conditions and diseases, most notable being hypertension, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and obesity. People of all ages, including children, are being affected, as are all socioeconomic groups in countries with different levels of economic development. The paradigm is shifting from these conditions and diseases being treated on an individual basis to their being prevented at the population level. In response, the Pan American Health Organization has convened a group of scientific and technical experts to start a process of strengthening capacity in the region for the implementation of population‐wide salt reduction policies. This report presents the results of the first meeting of the expert group.

On 13-14 January 2009, PAHO and the WHO Collaborating Centre on Chronic Non-communicable Disease Policy in PHAC co-hosted a meeting in Miami, Florida with the following objectives: to describe existing salt reduction policies in CARMEN countries as well as in other WHO regions and countries around the world; in collaboration with CARMEN participants and with input from international experts, to formulate next steps for population-level dietary salt reduction in the Americas. Steps that are appropriate to national governments, the food industry and civil society at the regional, sub-regional and country levels will be identified.

Policy Statement: Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in the Americas by Reducing Dietary Salt Intake Population-Wide 

The PAHO/WHO Regional Expert Group on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention through Dietary Salt Reduction has produced this policy statement. It has the rationale and recommendations for a population-based approach to reduce dietary salt intake among all people in the Americas, be they adults or children.

Press Release of the First Meeting of the Expert Group (WDC 9-10 september 2009)

Fact Sheet for Salt and CVD... needs to be updated

This sample presentation of 74 slides on how salt reduction can reduce cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and stroke can be used by any institution for training purposes.