Implementation of WHO/ISH guidelines: Role and activities of WHO

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is, for most adults, the biggest risk to life. Hypertension is the most common CVD affecting large proportions of adults in most populations throughout the world. Although cost-effective technologies for hypertension management are available, the level of hypertension awareness and treatment in the population at risk is not satisfactory. It is estimated that, worldwide, there are at least 500 million people with hypertension not receiving appropriate treatment who would require immediate intervention. Thus, community-based hypertension control represents a great challenge for all societies. Hypertension management guidelines have the potential to improve hypertension management practice and even public education. In order to increase its impact, however, an implementation strategy is needed that includes advocacy, dissemination, training and evaluation as its major components.