title: Population-wide sodium reduction: the bumpy road from evidence to policy.
abstract: Elevated blood pressure is a highly prevalent condition that is etiologically related to coronary heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Excess salt (sodium chloride) intake is a major determinant of elevated blood pressure. In this article, we discuss the scientific rationale for population-wide salt reduction, the types and strength of available evidence, policy-making on dietary salt intake in the United States and other countries, and the role and impact of key stakeholders. We highlight a number of lessons learned, many of which are germane to policy development in other domains.
authors.affiliation: Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. lappel@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Lawrence J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Appel
authors.forename: Sonia Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Angell
authors.forename: Laura K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Cobb
authors.forename: Heather M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Limper
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Samet
authors.forename: Ross C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Brownson
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D014943:Global Health; D006291:Health Policy / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D011050:Policy Making; D011634:Public Health; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D012982:Sodium, Dietary