Reducing Salt Intake will save ten thousand lives in Georgia 

WHO and National Center for Disease Control and Public Health launched a national salt reduction campaign, “Less salt, better health for Georgia" as part of the National Action plan to reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the population. The joint campaign, informed by behavioral insights, aims at raising awareness of the population and decision-makers about risks related to high salt intake and the available policies and techniques for decreasing salt consumption.

High salt consumption is a main risk-factor for arterial hypertension, which is a major cause of Cardio-Vascular Diseases (CVDs), constituting the leading cause of morbidity, disability, and mortality globally and in Georgia, and hindering also socio-economic development. Moreover, more evidence is emerging documenting links between high sodium intake and increased risk of other health conditions such as gastric cancer, obesity, osteoporosis and kidney disease. According to the 2016 STEPS survey, the adult population of Georgia consumes 8.5 g of salt/day and which is significantly higher than the WHO recommended dosage (5 g/day). Salt consumption is even higher - almost 2x than the recommended dosage in men - who are at higher risk for heart disease.

WHO Regional Director for Europe has recently initiated the Signature Initiative to reduce inequalities in cardiovascular disease burden and high blood pressure prevalence through improving hypertension control at primary health care level and implementing salt-reduction strategies. Georgia is one of the first countries in the European region to respond to this initiative.

“According to the latest evidence, reducing salt consumption can result in the highest return on investment. It can save up to 10,000 lives in Georgia over the period of the next 15 years, and the economic gain is equivalent to 19.6 GEL on every 1 GEL spent ” - said Silviu Domente, the WHO Representative and the Head of the WHO Country Office in Georgia. 

For more information:

Check the campaign here.

Talking with patients about salt can save their lives: doctors fight hypertension in Georgia