MAKASSAR, Indonesia, January 29, 2025/EAGING/ – Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often called a silent killer. Many people do not realise they have it until serious complications appear, such as stroke, heart disease, or kidney problems. Globally, around 1.3 billion people live with hypertension, and the majority of them live in low- and middle-income countries. Older adults are particularly vulnerable, especially those living in rural areas with limited access to health education and healthcare services.
In Indonesia, the problem is even more visible. More than half of people aged over 60 experience hypertension. One major contributor is excessive salt consumption, which is common in many daily foods such as instant noodles, canned fish, and processed meals. Although many elderly people know that too much salt is harmful, changing daily eating habits is not always easy.
A recent study conducted in rural Indonesia, titled “Continuous Follow-Up Intervention of a Low-Salt Diet to Control Blood Pressure Among Older People with Hypertension in Rural Indonesia” Article Published in Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health (Elsevier), January 27, 2025, explored a simple but powerful solution: education about a low-salt diet combined with continuous follow-up support. The research involved 148 older adults with hypertension, divided into two groups. One group received standard health education from local health centers, while the other group received a special intervention consisting of a low-salt diet education session followed by regular follow-up meetings for two months.
The results were striking.
Participants who only received standard education showed no meaningful improvement in their blood pressure levels. Many continued to consume high-salt foods because they did not fully understand hidden sources of sodium in everyday meals.
However, those who received education plus continuous follow-up experienced significant improvements. Their sodium intake dropped, and their blood pressure gradually decreased and remained stable after one to two months. Regular monitoring, discussions, and reminders helped participants understand how to apply a low-salt diet in their daily routines.
This finding highlights an important lesson: knowledge alone is not enough—consistent guidance and community support are essential for real behaviour change.
From a global development perspective, this study strongly connects with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-Being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages. Preventing and managing hypertension through simple lifestyle changes can reduce premature deaths from non-communicable diseases and improve quality of life for aging populations.
Moreover, the approach used in this research demonstrates the importance of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The study involved collaboration between academic institutions, healthcare workers, and local communities, showing that partnerships are key to addressing complex health challenges.
In the end, controlling hypertension does not always require expensive medical technology. Sometimes, the solution begins with something very small—just a pinch less salt, combined with continuous education and support. When communities, researchers, and health workers work together, even simple interventions can create meaningful improvements in public health.
Reference
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101943
Contact:
Andi Masyitha Irwan, S.Kep., Ns., MAN., Ph.D.
+6285342600183
citha_ners@med.unhas.ac.id
