Lowering Salt Consumption to Save Lives

Posted September 21, 2009

Faculty of Medicine hypertension expert, Dr. Norm Campbell, is bringing his expertise and advice outside of Canada, to countries throughout the western hemisphere. Campbell has been named Chairperson of a new Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) expert group to develop recommendations to lower salt consumption in the Americas.

The group, called the Regional Expert Group on Dietary Salt Reduction, wants to prevent deaths and illness from high blood pressure, heart and kidney failure, and stroke. "If we lower daily salt consumption to less than 5 grams per person, we can prevent millions of deaths, and with an investment of less than 50 cents per person," Campbell says.

The group met at PAHO headquarters in Washington, D.C., this month to review scientific evidence, set priorities, and begin working toward a list of recommendations and actions on reducing the amount of salt consumed by people in PAHO member countries.

Elevated blood pressure damages the heart, blood vessel and kidneys, increasing the risk of death.

The Pan American Health Organization, founded in 1902, works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their peoples. It serves as the Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO).