Progress on sodium reduction in South Korea.

INTRODUCTION: High dietary sodium is a leading contributor to hypertension, and hypertension is the leading underlying cause of death globally. There is a robust body of evidence supporting the health benefits of sodium reduction. Sodium intake in South Korea is high, with about half the population consuming >4000 mg/day, twice the recommended upper limit. METHODS: In 2012, South Korea implemented its National Plan to Reduce Sodium Intake, with a goal of reducing population sodium consumption by 20%, to 3900 mg/day, by 2020. The plan included five key components: (1) a consumer awareness campaign designed to change food consumption behaviours; (2) increased availability of low-sodium foods at schools and worksites; (3) increased availability of low-sodium meals in restaurants; (4) voluntary reformulation of processed foods to lower sodium content; and (5) development of low-sodium recipes for food prepared at home. Monitoring and evaluation included tracking sodium intake and sources of dietary sodium using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. RESULTS: By 2014, South Korea had reduced dietary sodium consumption among adults by 23.7% compared to a survey conducted in 2010 prior to implementation of a nationwide salt reduction campaign that used this comprehensive, multipronged approach. The reductions in sodium intake were accompanied by reductions in population blood pressure and hypertension prevalence. Although causal associations between the sodium reduction programme and reduced sodium intake cannot be made, the declines occurred with the introduction of the programme. CONCLUSION: Multicomponent interventions have great potential to reduce population sodium intake. Lessons learnt from South Korea could be applied to other countries and are likely very relevant to other Asian countries with similar food sources and consumption profiles.

Blood pressure measurement device selection in low-resource settings: Challenges, compromises, and routes to progress.

High blood pressure (BP) is the single leading preventable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor across the world. In order to decrease the global burden of CVD, broad hypertension screening programs that facilitate early hypertension diagnosis and treatment are essential. Accurate BP devices are a key element of hypertension control programs. With the overwhelming number of devices available now on the market, most of which have not been tested for accuracy, it can be challenging to select the optimal BP measurement device for clinical settings. This review details essential factors to consider when selecting a good-quality BP device, particularly for use in low-resource settings. Barriers to the procurement and use of good-quality devices are reviewed and practical solutions proposed.

The dirty dozen: 12 myths that undermine tobacco control.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. The health risks of smoking are well documented, as is the effectiveness of clinical and public health interventions to prevent and reduce smoking. However, many myths about smoking either encourage people to begin or continue smoking or deter them from quitting. Some myths stem from a misapplied understanding of what might seem to be common sense; others are deliberately promulgated by the tobacco industry to induce people--especially children--to start smoking and to keep them smoking as adults. These myths undermine tobacco control. However, comprehensive tobacco control programs that include anti-smoking public education campaigns can effectively counter these myths and prevent illness and premature death.