World Heart Day 2009

The story "work with heart"


Over 17.2 million people die each year from cardiovascular diseases, making these the leading cause of death worldwide. Yet 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided by controlling the main risk factors: tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.
Millions of productive life-years are lost annually, posing significant threats to the vitality of our highly-interdependent global system, especially in the context of the current financial crisis.

Businesses around the world, as well as leading organizations such as the World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum have recognized the importance of employee health to achieve core business objectives. Many have committed to include health promotion on their corporate agenda.

Yet it is mostly large corporations in developed countries that offer workplace health programmes.

There is an urgent need to extend these benefits to all employees, in other industries and sectors, and in other parts of the world. In particular, workers in low- and middle-income countries, where over 80% of deaths from cardiovascular disease currently occur, could benefit greatly from the implementation of such programmes.

Why Workplace Wellness?

As part of its commitment to the World Economic Forum initiative “Working Towards Wellness”1, World Heart Day 2009 has been dedicated to this theme. Almost half of those who die from chronic diseases are in their productive years. The economic consequences - driven by productivity reduction and increase in costs caused by these diseases among workforces - are dramatic. The WHO estimates that between 2005-2015 income loss (in international dollars) could rise to as much as $558 billion in China, $237 billion in India, $303 billion in Russia and $33 billion in the UK.

Countries such as Brazil, China, Russia and India currently lose more than 20 million productive life-years annually to chronic disease, and that number is expected to grow 65% by 2030. The losses in productivity associated with those diseases like disability, unplanned absences and increased accidents are as much as 400% more than the cost of treatment.

Proven health benefits

Workplace health promotion has generally focused on promoting worker health through the reduction of individual risk-related behaviours such as tobacco use, physical inactivity and poor nutrition. These programmes have the potential to reach a significant proportion of employed adults, up to 54% of the world population.

In 2003, a comprehensive study2 focusing on the economic return of workplace health promotion concluded that workplace programmes can achieve a 25-30% reduction in medical and absenteeism costs in an average period of about 3.6 years. It also showed:

• An average 27% reduction in sick leave absenteeism
• An average 26% reduction in healthcare costs
• An average 32% reduction in workers' compensation and disability claim costs
• An average US$ 5.81-US$ 1.00 savings-to-cost ratio


Q: What can I do to avoid a heart attack or a stroke?

A: WHO estimates that more than 17.1 million people died of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack or stroke in 2004. Contrary to popular belief, four out of five of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, and men and women were equally affected.

The good news, however, is that 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable. Healthy diet, regular physical activity, and not using tobacco products are the keys to prevention.

Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet is crucial to a healthy heart and circulation system. This should include plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, fish and pulses, and restricted salt, sugar and fat intake intake.

Take regular physical activity: At least 30 minutes of regular physical activity every day helps to maintain cardiovascular fitness; at least 60 minutes on most days helps to maintain healthy weight.

Avoid tobacco use: Tobacco in every form is very harmful to health - cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or chewable tobacco. Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke is also dangerous. The risk of heart attack and stroke starts to drop immediately after a person stops using tobacco products, and can drop by as much as half after one year.

Check and control your cardiovascular risk:

* Know your blood pressure: High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, but can cause a sudden stroke or heart attack. Have your blood pressure checked.
* Know your blood sugar: Raised blood glucose (diabetes) increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. If you have diabetes it is very important to control your blood pressure and blood sugar to minimize the risk.
* Know your blood lipids: Raised blood cholesterol increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Blood cholesterol needs to be controlled through a healthy diet and, if necessary, by appropriate medications.