Simplified hypertension control indicators
Simplified indicators adapted from the WHO HEARTS “S” module by Resolve to Save Lives
Watch: “One penny, one pill.” That’s all it costs to control high blood pressure.
Blood pressure-lowering drugs can cost as little as one penny per pill. Governments, funders, and the private sector must prioritize improving accessibility of life-saving blood pressure-lowering medicines to increase global blood pressure control from 21% today to 50% by 2030. Doing so would help save 75 million lives and prevent 150 million heart attack and […]
Factors associated with hypertension care follow-up in the Ethiopia HEARTS program
In World Heart Federation’s Global Heart, this article co-authored by Resolve to Save Lives dives into the impact of HEARTS interventions and improvements to access to medicines made in 2022 in controlling high blood pressure in Ethiopia, and provides recommendations for further progress. Through patient-centered interventions such as extending appointment intervals, prescription refills, and expanded […]
Analysis of costs in implementing the HEARTS hypertension program in Nigerian primary care
A new article co-authored by Resolve to Save Lives dives into the cost of scaling up HEARTS hypertension services in Nigeria to help prevent and control high blood pressure, and outlines the next steps to lowering the cost of HEARTS implementation. Abstract Background The Nigeria Hypertension Control Initiative (NHCI) program, launched in 2020, integrates […]
Providing the medicines patients need to control high blood pressure
High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for early death worldwide, with approximately 80% of related deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Daily medication can control high blood pressure and reduce risk of heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease, dementia, and premature death.1 Yet millions around the world still lack access to lifesaving […]
Ethiopia National Non-Communicable Diseases Management Protocols
Ethiopia’s National NCD management protocols for: Hypertension Diabetes Rheumatic heart disease Chronic respiratory diseases Cardiovascular Disease (Risk Assessment)
Ethiopia Pharmaceuticals Procurement List: Third Edition
The Third Edition of Ethiopia’s Pharmaceuticals Procurement List, published in 2024 by The Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Service (EPSS).
VEN Classification of The 3rd Pharmaceuticals Procurement List
The Ethiopia VEN Classification grades medicines on the country’s 3rd Pharmaceuticals Procurement List as Vital, Essential, or Non-essential, serving as a tool to prioritize pharmaceutical procurement based on the criticality of medicines to public health, ensuring that the most crucial medicines are consistently available. This initiative not only strengthens the pharmaceutical supply chain but also […]
Common Non-Communicable Diseases and their Pharmaceuticals Management: Facilitator’s Guide
A facilitation guide for a three-day training course designed for pharmacy professionals in Ethiopia to enhance their knowledge, skills, and attitude in the effective management and rational use of medicines and health technologies for NCD management. After completion of this course, trainees will be able to: Describe major NCDs in accordance with the national […]
Improved hypertension care requires measurement and management in health facilities, not mass screening
In The Lancet, we challenge the common practice of conducting mass public blood pressure screenings and note that measuring blood pressure in patients attending primary care facilities is a much more efficient and effective way to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
9 million lives saved and counting
Resolve to Save Lives’ partnerships for heart health between 2018 and 2023 will result in 9 million fewer deaths worldwide. Here’s how we supported countries to make rapid progress, and how we measured our impact.
National guideline for the prevention and management of hypertension in Nigeria
National treatment guideline adopted in Nigeria to support the management of high blood pressure and improve access to medications.
Improving follow-up visits among individuals with hypertension: Quality Improvement project in the District Hospital, Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, India, 2021–2022
A quality improvement (QI) initiative conducted by the India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) between January 2021 and September 2022 led to an increase in monthly follow-up visits from 21% to 37% and a decrease in missed health visits from 66% to 22%. Of the individuals counseled by ASHA home visits, 74.9% returned for follow-up. The […]
Fourth time a charm?—How to make the UN high-level meeting on noncommunicable diseases effective
In a new article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Dr. Tom Frieden and colleagues call for a focused strategy and more investment to address the world’s leading killer diseases. The article outlines specific, effective, and measurable steps countries can take to make progress and increase the chances that the upcoming […]
Managing cardiovascular disease with WHO HEARTS
A two-page advocacy brief developed by Resolve to Save Lives to highlight the key elements of WHO’s HEARTS technical package for managing cardiovascular disease:
Standard clinical protocols for managing hypertension
Using simple, practical treatment protocols standardizes a high quality of care and significantly improves health outcomes in large-scale hypertension control programs. Not only do they provide easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions that empower non-physician health care workers to manage patient care closer to home, they also unlock bulk purchasing for essential medications, lowering costs and the risk […]
Unlocking health equity through free blood pressure medications
A new analysis by Resolve to Save Lives and partners is clear: removing patient copayments for anti-hypertensive medications reduces risk of heart attack, stroke, and hospitalization. Countries should explore providing free blood pressure medications as a way to save lives and meet sustainable development goals, particularly in LMICs where 80% of hypertension-related deaths occur and […]
Designing an optimal digital tool for hypertension and other long-term treatment programs
Playbook with step-by-step guidance for creating an effective digital tool for hypertension management and other chronic disease programs
Implementation of Global Hearts Hypertension Control Programs in 32 Low- and Middle-Income Countries
In the Journal of American College of Cardiology International, a summary of success, progress, and lessons learned during the first five years of the HEARTS initiative.
Effectiveness and safety of using standardized treatment protocols for hypertension
This new systematic review demonstrates that standardized and simplified hypertension treatment protocols significantly reduce high blood pressure compared with usual hypertension care. Simple hypertension management protocols streamline treatment steps, improving outcomes for patients and making medications more available and affordable. ABSTRACT Large gaps persist in the diagnosis, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension globally. Standardized treatment […]
Integrated Antihypertensive and Statin Treatment Protocols for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
A new paper in Global Hearts co-authored by RTSL advocates for integrating hypertension medicines and cholesterol medicines into treatment plans to address the 90% of patients in low- and middle-income countries who don’t receive the cholesterol medications they need for primary cardiovascular disease prevention. Including statin treatment within existing HEARTS hypertension and diabetes protocols can help […]
Trends in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in the Thai population, 2004 to 2020
A new study in BMC conducted and funded by RTSL’s partners in Thailand analyzes trends in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in Thailand over the past 15 years. Despite significant strides such as the adoption of universal health coverage, hypertension awareness and blood pressure control remain a challenge throughout Thailand. An urgent and concerted public […]
Improving hypertension care among private sector providers in India
A recent analysis authored by RTSL and our partners in India shows a lack of awareness among private sector providers in India that high blood pressure is a critical health threat. Providing prescriptions to patients is the first step in increasing medication availability and affordability. To encourage evidence-based hypertension care, the government and NGOs could implement […]
Arm Position and Blood Pressure Readings: The ARMS Crossover Randomized Clinical Trial
Faulty blood pressure readings can put lives at risk. A new randomized clinical trial shows that commonly used arm positions (lap or side) result in substantially higher blood pressure readings which can lead to false diagnoses and over-treatment. To measure blood pressures accurately, the arm should be supported at heart level. The authors call for clinical […]
Phone Calls to Overdue Patients with Hypertension – factsheet
This two-page factsheet outlines the key takeaways from the full guide, Guide for Management of Overdue Patients with Hypertension, and is designed as a resource for staff in your hypertension clinic. Other related resources: Designing an optimal digital tool for hypertension and other long-term treatment programs Leading a Good Data Review Meeting – full […]
Leading a Good Data Review Meeting – factsheet
This one-page factsheet outlines the key takeaways from the full guide, Leading a Good Data Review Meeting, and is designed as a resource for staff in your hypertension clinic. Other related resources: Designing an optimal digital tool for hypertension and other long-term treatment programs Guide for Management of Overdue Patients with Hypertension Phone Calls […]
Leading a Good Data Review Meeting
The ultimate goal of a successful hypertension program is to improve blood pressure control at the population level. Establishing regular data review meetings to review program progress using the HEARTS360 dashboard can enhance decision-making and build a culture of quality and accountability for large-scale hypertension programs. Use the following four steps to identify, address, and […]
Change Package: Overdue Patient Management
Program managers of large-scale hypertension programs can use the evidence-based interventions outlined in this new resource from Resolve to Save Lives to better track and manage patients overdue for a visit—and return them to care. Other related resources: Designing an optimal digital tool for hypertension and other long-term treatment programs Guide for Management of […]
Guide for Management of Overdue Patients with Hypertension
In this new guide from Resolve to Save Lives, large-scale hypertension programs can better find patients who are overdue for a health visit and bring them back to care. Reducing loss to follow-up is a leading way to improve hypertension control and reduce deaths from heart attacks and strokes. Phone calls, text messages, and home […]
Github page for DHIS2 hypertension and diabetes control package
Download the new DHIS2 hypertension and diabetes control package—a free, open-source health management data platform developed by DHIS2 and Resolve to Save Lives.