ABSTRACT
Detection, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension require accurate blood pressure assessment. However, in clinical practice, lack of training in or nonadherence to measurement recommendations, lack of patient preparation, unsuitable environments where blood pressure is measured, and inaccurate and inappropriate equipment are widespread and commonly lead to inaccurate blood pressure readings. This has led to calls to require regular training and certification for people assessing blood pressure. Hence, the Pan American Health Organization in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives, the World Hypertension League, Lancet Commission on Hypertension Group, and Hypertension Canada has developed a free brief training and certification course in blood pressure measurement. The course is available at www. The release of the online certification course is timed to help support World Hypertension Day. This year World Hypertension Day has been delayed to October 17 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For 2020, the World Hypertension League calls on all health care professionals, health care professional organizations, and indeed all of society, to assess the blood pressure of all adults, measure blood pressure accurately, and achieve blood pressure control in those with hypertension.