Australia's high blood pressure problem costs the country AU$1.2bn a year, with patients covering 40% of the bill on out-of pocket charges, and the taxpayer footing the remaining 60% through government subsidies and industry contracts.
This is according to new analysis by The George Institute for Global Health published 25/11/24 in Medical Journal of Australia.
Need for policy intervention
"As Australia struggles with a hypertension crisis, our analysis provides a real-world snapshot of spending on the problem, and who exactly is footing the bill, to help decision-makers develop more affordable, equitable and innovative pathways to get the problem under control". said lead author Professor Anthony Rodgers, professional Fellow in the Cardiovascular Program at The George Institute for Global Health, and Conjoint Professor of Global Health at UNSW Sydney..
Lack of widespread screening
Around 34% of Australian adults are estimated to have high blood pressure but only half of these people are aware they have it, with the lack of widespread screening a major factor.
About one in three (32%) have managed to keep their blood pressure in a healthy range, well below similar economies like Canada, where the rate of control is two in three (68%).
Australia's National Hypertension Taskforce has a goal to improve control rates from 32-70% by 2030.
"Refocusing on ways to increase detection of high blood pressure, support better management in primary care, and finding better methods to help patients stay on therapy are all needed, but it's also critical to ensure that the costs are fair and sustainable". Rodgers said.
"Our research sends a clear message to decision makers that we can and must improve health policy to reduce preventable deaths from heart attack, stroke and kidney disease in Australia".