Read more about World Heart Day in a short note from Dr. David Wang:
World Heart Day is an annual event marked on the 29th of September drawing attention to cardiovascular-related diseases such as congenital heart disease, coronary heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. In 2012 world leaders committed to reducing global mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025.1
10 years have passed since that commitment. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death around the world. An estimated 17.9 million lives are taken annually, with heart attacks and strokes accounting for more than 4 out of 5 CVD deaths.2 This demonstrates the urgent need for national public health programmes across every layer of society. However, some of these diseases are preventable through behavioural and lifestyle changes such as healthy diets and participating in physical activity.
At UnitedHealthcare Global, we have plans specially designed to help support those who have heart conditions but also to encourage healthy lifestyle choices to help prevent the incidence of CVDs. The BeHealthy Group plans help members proactively manage their health and well-being by keeping track of their nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being via a health score. The My Wellbeing at mywellbeingsolution.com fitness challenge is another great tool to track health and fitness.3 These programmes are designed to support employees and their families and reduce the potential for health emergencies inside and outside the workplace.
This World Heart Day get involved with the global challenge, create your own heart-shaped route to walk, bike or run.4 Share your route and add it to the challenge wall. Share on social media using the hashtag #WorldHeartDay to inspire others to create their own or try your route.
Sources:
1: https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/about-whd/
2: https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases#tab=tab_1
3: https://www.uhcglobal.eu/members
4: https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/