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The theme for the 1978 World Health Day was “Down with high blood pressure”. A number of countries issued stamps to promote this campaign. Four stamps and a miniature sheet (containing the complete set) were released by Uganda. Illustrated is the 2 shilling stamp which incorporates the campaign slogan and hypertensive retinal changes. (The other three stamps depicted a sphygmomanometer and a daily blood pressure chart, the heart in hypertension, and the kidneys and renal circulation.) Belgium issued a set of three charity stamps in 1978 for philanthropic works; the middle 6 franc value (carrying a 3 franc surcharge) contained the stamp for the World Health Day. The design incorporates the measurement of blood pressure, a stylised heart, brain, and kidney as well as the electrocardiogram. (The other two stamps in the set featured deserted children and the De Mick sanatorium (antituberculosis campaign issue).)
Hypertension and the measurement of blood pressure have appeared on a few stamps outside of the 1978 World Health Organisation theme. These include stamps from Czechoslovakia in 1952 for the National Health Service, the United Nations (Vienna headquarters) in 1988 for international volunteer day and in 1983 from the British Virgin Islands for nursing week.