Between 2022 and 2024, Australian hypertension prevalence increased to 39.4% and crude blood pressure control improved to 39.6%, though control remains lower in First Nations peoples (22.2%).
Cross-Sectional
Despite slight improvements in crude blood pressure control rates in Australia, hypertension prevalence is rising and significant inequities persist, requiring targeted efforts to reach the 70% control goal by 2030.
High blood pressure is the dominant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and death in Australia. The blood pressure control rate in Australia was reported at 32% based on 2017-2018 data, which is substantially lower than other high-income countries. New results from the National Health Survey show an improvement of the crude control rate to 39.6% in the years 2022-2023, though changes in methodology need to be considered in the interpretation. Hypertension prevalence has increased from 33.7 to 39.4%. The prevalence and control rates vary strongly across diverse population groups. The age-standardized prevalence among First Nations peoples is higher than in the general population (37.8 versus 35%), and age-standardized blood pressure control rates are lower (22.2 versus 31.1%). Younger individuals and those in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas have substantially lower control rates, highlighting the need for greater equity to achieve the National Hypertension Taskforce's goal of 70% blood pressure control by 2030.
Ohlrogge et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension. Hypertension was evaluated on Hypertension prevalence and blood pressure control rate. Between 2022 and 2024, Australian hypertension prevalence increased to 39.4% and crude blood pressure control improved to 39.6%, though control remains lower in First Nations peoples (22.2%).