Socioeconomic impact and burden of hypertension in the Philippines projected in 2050

Hypertension has remained the number one cause of cardiovascular death in the Philippines for over three (3) decades. Despite this finding, the burden accounted for by hypertension is investigated to a lesser extent. We performed this study to determine the socioeconomic impact of hypertension in the Philippines, and it was projected in the next 30 years. We gathered primary data through interviews, Labor Force Survey (N = 806), and secondary data from various government published reports. The cost of illness (COI) was calculated using the direct morbidity and mortality costs. The impact (% of respondents) of uncontrolled hypertension on productivity at work showed the following; four (4) days missing work (72%) and ten (10) days lost of productivity (63%). The impact (% of respondents) of uncontrolled hypertension on productivity at home showed the following: six (6) days of household suspended (66%), eleven (11) days reduced household work (78%), and five (5) days affected social activity (60%). The productivity loss of premature mortality accounts for 17% of the total economic burden in 2020 and will increase to 20% by 2050. In 2020, 70% of the total economic burden was accounted for direct & indirect care. At its present value, the economic cost of hypertension is expected to increase from US$1 billion in 2020 to US$1.9 billion by 2050. The socioeconomic impact of uncontrolled hypertension in the Philippines was enormous, challenging, and overwhelming for the next 30 years.