HIGHLIGHTS: WORLD HEART DAY 2009Workplace wellness programmes from around the world
For World Heart Day this year the World Heart Federation has explored the campaign theme "Work with Heart", presenting examples of worksite interventions from around the world. Gathering information through a web-based questionnaire that was sent to members and partners, then following up with interviews on projects selected to represent a variety of geographical areas, socioeconomic situations and approaches to workplace wellness. A series of six articles in this issue of Heart Beat summarizes highlights from interviews on workplace cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention in Belgium, China, India, Iran, Mexico, and the UK. BeWell@Work: workplace wellness in Belgium
The Belgian Heart League BeWell@Work initiative helps businesses and other workplaces build programmes to reduce employees’ risk of heart attack and stroke. Launched in 2008, it now works with some 30 employers, from small offices to large multinational companies. It helps each company develop a wellness programme tailored to its own needs, capacities and workforce. Community Interventions for Health in China: confronting chronic disease in the workplace
Circumstances are changing fast in China. Economic development and urbanization are altering lifestyle there, and chronic diseases are now the leading cause of death and illness. The World Health Organization estimates that in 10 years, heart disease, stroke and diabetes will cost China $558 billion in foregone national income. Preventing cardiovascular disease in Indian industrial worksitesThe Initiative for Cardiovascular Health Research in Developing Countries (IC Health) involved over 20,000 people from 10 worksites around India in a study on the impact of comprehensive worksite interventions for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. The study showed that workplace interventions can reduce CVD risk in developing countries. Healthy workplaces in Iran: employee health is a good investmentIn Iran, like most other countries, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death and causes heavy loss of productivity. The Isfahan Healthy Heart programme (IHHP) is a comprehensive community-based programme for CVD prevention, designed and conducted by the Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Centre (ICRC) with the cooperation of Provincial Health Centre, both affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. IHHP comprises 10 projects to reduce CVD risk. Its Worksite Intervention Project has changed employee habits and helped Iranian firms show that employee health is a good investment. Community Interventions for Health in Mexico: linking worksites to the communityMexico is at the forefront of global health trends that are changing health patterns in developing and middle-income countries. The Community Interventions for Health project there integrates worksites into a comprehensive strategy, linking them to neighbourhoods, schools and health facilities in efforts to change policies and other environmental factors that are barriers to healthy behaviour. What works@work: British Heart Foundation and workplace wellness in the UK
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) Health at Work website gives practical information and materials to help employers improve wellness at the workplace. Launched in July 2009, the online resource is based on evidence and experience accumulated through a number of the heart foundation's initiatives.
IN THIS ISSUE"Work with Heart": use the video to spread the message of World Heart Day, 27 September 2009
The World Heart Federation has, for the first time, created a video clip to promote this year’s World Heart Day message, which is being disseminated through social media networks such as YouTube and Facebook. Send the video link to your members, employees, friends and families and post on your websites or alternatively download the video, adapt and use it to build awareness for your local country activities. World Congress of Cardiology Scientific Sesstions 2010: last chance to submit your abstract
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to present your work at the World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) Scientific Sessions 2010 and submit your abstract today. Be at the heart of the congress and participate in the largest event, ever held in China, dedicated to discussing the science, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. UEFA Women's Euro™: Pekka Puska, President World Heart Federation, introduces Finland to "Eat for Goals!"
World Heart Federation President, Professor Pekka Puska, used the UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2009™, which took place in Finland (August 23–September 10) as a platform to promote Eat for Goals! in his native country. This children’s cookbook, in which 13 leading footballers give their favourite healthy recipes, is a joint venture between the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the European Commission and the World Heart Federation. Internet symposium on Tobacco and the Heart
An internet symposium entitled Tobacco and the Heart will be featured as part of the 6th International Cardiology Congress on Internet (6CVC). The virtual cardiology congress, organized by the Argentine Federation of Cardiology, is being held from 1 September−30 November, 2009. It is free of charge to health practitioners around the world. Stopping illicit trade in tobaccoSmuggling and other forms of illicit trade weaken the impact of tobacco-control measures that protect health. They also cost governments billions of dollars in lost revenue and help finance organized crime and terrorism. To tackle the problem, some 130 countries party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) met on 29 June−5 July to continue negotiation on a Protocol on Illicit Trade in Tobacco.
UPCOMING EVENTS 200926-30 September 2009 - Abuja, NigeriaConference of the Pan African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR) 04-07 October - Venice, ItalyVenice Arrhythmias 07-10 October - Boston, United StatesCardiometabolic Health Congress See all events | |