What is a major goal of hypertension control in public health?

A major goal of hypertension control in public health is to reduce the incidence of stroke and heart disease. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a significant risk factor for both of these serious cardiovascular conditions. By effectively managing and controlling hypertension, public health initiatives strive to decrease the overall prevalence of these diseases, leading to better population health outcomes.

Controlling hypertension can involve a combination of lifestyle modifications, education, medication adherence, and regular monitoring. When blood pressure is kept within a healthy range, the chances of developing complications such as stroke and heart disease diminish significantly. This focus on prevention aligns with public health objectives, which prioritize reducing morbidity and mortality associated with chronic diseases.

The other options contradict the principles of public health aimed at optimizing health outcomes and reducing disease prevalence. For instance, increasing healthcare costs does not contribute positively to public health goals; promoting sedentary lifestyles is contrary to the encouragement of physical activity for heart health; and encouraging high sodium diets would elevate blood pressure levels, exacerbating hypertension and its associated risks. Thus, reducing the incidence of stroke and heart disease is a fundamental objective in the public health approach to managing hypertension.