Statement On World Hypertension Day May 17, 2025

In observance of World Hypertension Day on May 17, 2025, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs joined the global community in raising awareness of hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, which continues to be a major contributor to premature deaths both globally and in Saint Lucia.   This year’s global theme, “Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer,” reinforces the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to promote better health practices. Accurate measurement using clinically validated monitors and proper technique remains a cornerstone of early diagnosis and sustained management. According to national health statistics, an estimated 2 out of 5 Saint Lucian adults aged 18 to 69 years, or approximately 40 percent, are affected by hypertension. Even more concerning is that fewer than 1 in 5 persons with hypertension in Saint Lucia have their blood pressure under control.