Health experts have warned that hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are rising at an alarming rate among Bangladesh’s youth, driven by unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, sedentary lifestyles, and air pollution.

They urged immediate and effective action to protect the younger generation from escalating health risks.

The call came on Tuesday during a webinar titled “Hypertension Risk and the Youth of Bangladesh”, organized by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) to mark National and International Youth Day 2025.

The event, supported by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), was co-organized by youth groups including the Bangladesh Medical Students’ Society (BMSS), Platform Doctors Foundation, It’s Humanity Foundation, Youth Club of Bangladesh, Kashful Foundation, and Give Bangladesh.

This year’s observance is themed “Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships.”

Speakers noted that NCDs, including hypertension, account for 71 percent of all deaths in Bangladesh, with 19 percent of those occurring prematurely.

Without urgent preventive and control measures, they warned, the disease burden among youth will increase sharply, undermining workforce productivity and straining the healthcare system and economy.

While free medicine distribution for hypertension has begun, experts stressed the need to ensure its availability in all Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes.

Dr. Geeta Rani Devi, Program Manager of Community-Based Health Care (CBHC), said the government is providing anti-hypertensive medicines through Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes and has taken steps to involve youth in clinic activities.

“In addition to embracing healthy lifestyles, young people must participate actively in hypertension control initiatives,” she said.

Dr. Md. Maruf Haque Khan, Assistant Professor at the Department of Public Health & Informatics, Bangladesh Medical University, described hypertension as a growing concern among young people.

“To build a healthy young generation and reduce hypertension, changes in dietary habits and lifestyle are essential,” he said.

The webinar was chaired by PROGGA Executive Director ABM Zubair and moderated by PROGGA Coordinator Sadia Galiba Prova, with participants joining from various regions and professions across the country.

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