HelpAge International, the network that improves the lives of older people, today, World Health Day, publishes the results of its own survey of civil society organisations working with older people in 42 countries. The results reveal a shocking global picture of the work which still needs to be done to provide adequate information and screening for high blood pressure; an easily treatable condition which affects one billion people around the world.

1. Free drugs are only available in 46% of countries
asked
Question 1: Does the Health Service in your country provide free drugs for
the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension)?

2. Free drugs are not easily obtainable for older
people in urban areas in 61% of countries asked
Question 1a: If the answer to question 1 was YES, are these drugs easily
obtainable for older people in urban areas?

3. Free drugs are not easily obtainable for older
people in rural areas in 70% of countries asked
Question 1b: If the answer to question 1 was YES, are these drugs easily
obtainable for older people in rural areas?

4. There is no information campaign about high
blood pressure in 58% of countries asked
Question 2: Is there an information campaign (through leaflets, radio,
television, newspapers or any other means) about high blood pressure in
your country?

5. The government does not offer free screening for
older people in 59% of countries asked
Question 3: Does your government say they offer free screening to older
people for the detection of high blood pressure?

6. There is no easily accessible programme of free
screening for older people in 70% of countries
asked
Question 4: Does your government actually provide an easily accessible
programme of free screening for older people?