Health Issues in Africa

Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension

Hypertension affects 74.7 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, projected to reach 125.5 million by 2025. NCDs will overtake all communicable diseases combined by 2030.

125.5M

hypertensives in SSA by 2025

PLOS Global Public Health, 2024

28.5%

pooled hypertension prevalence

2024

2030

NCDs to overtake communicable diseases

WHO AFRO

↑ Rising rapidly

Burden

Hypertension affects approximately 74.7 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, projected to reach 125.5 million by 2025 and 216.8 million by 2030. NCDs were responsible for 37% of deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2019, up from 24% in 2000.

Drivers

Hypertension and tobacco
Harmful alcohol use
Physical inactivity and obesity
High salt intake
Diabetes and air pollution

“If current trends continue, NCDs will exceed communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases combined by 2030.”WHO AFRO