Global Arab Network | Heart diseases kill 17.2 million people every year

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Heart diseases kill 17.2 million people every year

Global Arab Network - - George Haddad

Wednesday, 23 September 2009 16:33

The World Heart Federation (WHF) said Wednesday that over 17.2 million people worldwide die annually from heart disease and stroke, the worlds leading cause of death.

In the lead up to World Heart Day on 27 September 2009, the World Heart Federation, the World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum have joined forces to call on governments, employers and workers around the world to make workplaces healthier.

Workplace wellness programmes that encourage healthy diets, physical activity and restrictions on tobacco use have been shown to be a cost-effective way to save lives and improve productivity.

A senior official at the World Health Organiyation (WHO) Dr. Fiona Adshead said that there is still a widespread misconception that heart disease and stroke are "rich country" problems.

In fact, she added, over 80% of deaths from cardiovascular disease occur in low- and middle-income countries and stressed that there is a need for a worldwide effort to have a significant impact.

President of the WHF Professor Pekka Puska said that at a time when governments and business leaders are devoting considerable amounts of energy, and billions of dollars, to improve the health of global financial systems, attention should also be directed to the health of the workforce.

Professor Pekka Puska, President of the World Heart Federation. Professor Puska will officially launch World Heart Day, in Abuja, Nigeria where he will join with community leaders and health professionals, to discuss the prevention and control of heart disease, stroke and diabetes during a three-day all-Africa conference.

Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEFORUM) Klaus Schwab said that the WEFORUM has identified chronic diseases as a major global threat for human lives and for economic growth and development, over the coming ten years.

Professor Klaus Schwab added that spme of the world's leading companies, members of the World Economic Forum, have ongoing workplace wellness programmes.

In addition, he said, to improving health and well-being, this also makes good business sense, given that productivity losses due to chronic diseases have been estimated to be four times greater than the cost of their prevention or treatment.

Workplaces are an ideal setting to encourage healthy lifestyles. Most people spend over half their waking hours working. This years call is to "Work with Heart". Small changes, such as bans on smoking, making more fruit and vegetables available at canteens, and encouraging workers to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine, can make a big difference in terms of better health. These measures help prevent not just heart disease and stroke but also other chronic disease such as, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory disease, which together cause 60% of all deaths worldwide.

There are also substantial benefits for employers, including increased productivity, up to 20% fewer sick days, lower medical costs, improved morale and corporate image, and enhanced staff retention.

Workplace wellness programmes that encourage healthy diets, physical activity and restrictions on tobacco use have been shown to be a cost-effective way to save lives and improve productivity.

These statements and figures were made available to the media ahead of World Heart Day on 27 September.

Global Arab Network

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