WHO/PAHO Technical Advisory Group on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Through Dietary Salt/Sodium Reduction: Final Report Phase 3

Abstract

In 2009, PAHO convened a Regional Expert Group to work toward reducing dietary salt/sodium intake in the Region and develop recommendations for policies and actions in line with WHO recommendations. In a second phase, during 2012-2015, the Technical Advisory Group supported the development of resources and tools to empower civil society and public health authorities in establishing national strategies to reduce population salt/sodium intake. The third phase of the TAG, during 2016-2018, focused on policy implementation and dissemination of technical materials and protocols developed during the first two phases. This report summarizes the work of the TAG and presents the progress made to date by countries in the Region to reduce population dietary salt intake and meet the 2025 global target of a 30% relative reduction in the mean population salt intake, highlighting the importance of regulatory interventions to reduce salt/sodium intake, including sodium reduction targets for reformulation of processed and ultraprocessed foods, front-of-pack warning labelling, marketing restrictions for foods high in sodium and supportive environment in public institutions.