HYPERTENSION 2020: CONFRONTING TOMORROW'S PROBLEM TODAY

1. In developed countries, the major burden of disease is due to chronic diseases, such as heart disease and stroke. In contrast, the major burden of disease among people in developing countries has been due largely to diseases caused by malnutrition, poor sanitation and infection. In recent years, with increasing economic and demographic development, there has been a shift in developing countries from diseases caused by poverty towards chronic, non‐communicable, lifestyle‐related diseases. The rapid emergence of these chronic diseases has not occurred with a similarly rapid decline in infectious diseases. Therefore, these developing countries are experiencing high rates of both infectious and chronic diseases.