World Heart Day 2009

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the No. 1 cause of death worldwide — killing one person every two seconds. An estimated 17.5 million people died from CVD in 2005, and this number is expected to rise to 20 million by 2015. Nearly half of those who die from chronic diseases, including CVD, are in their productive years and the associated economic consequences and increased costs in the workforce are dramatic. To help promote improved health and productivity in the workplace environment, Bayer HealthCare is teaming up again with the World Heart Federation to promote World Heart Day 2009 themed “Work with Heart.”

On World Heart Day 2009, Sunday, September 27, Bayer HealthCare and the World Heart Federation are calling on everyone to “Work with Heart” - encouraging employers and employees to make small changes that, together, can make a big difference in favor of greater health and productivity.

Collaborating with the World Heart Federation

Together with the World Heart Federation, Bayer has been supporting global educational initiatives on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases since 2005. Through a shared commitment, Bayer and the World Heart Federation are working to establish common standards for preventing cardiovascular diseases, with the goal of making a longer and better life possible for the world's population through prevention of cardiovascular diseases and strokes.

World Heart Day: Creating Awareness and Educating People

Through the partnership, Bayer HealthCare supports World Heart Day with educational and preventive actions. Members from 100 countries organize events such as campaigns to promote a healthy diet, professional health counseling and other activities, including walks, runs, public talks, scientific forums, exhibitions, concerts, sporting events and much more. For more details, visit www.worldheartday.com.

About the World Heart Federation

The World Heart Federation, a nongovernmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, is committed to helping the global population achieve a longer and better life through prevention and control of heart disease and stroke, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries. For further information on World Heart Federation, visit www.worldheart.org.

• More information about the World Heart Day (external)
• More information about the World Heart Federation (external)
• More information about the World Economic Forum (external)
• More information about Bayer HealthCare
• More information about Bayer HealthCare Consumer Care