SECAUCUS, N.J., Nov. 12, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic is proud to announce the company has become a corporate sponsor of the 2011 World Heart Day taking place on September 29. World Heart Day, created by the World Heart Federation was first celebrated in 2000 and was created to inform people around the world about the risks of heart disease and stroke. According to the World Health Organization, heart disease and stroke are the world's leading cause of death, claiming 17.1 million lives each year.
"We are thrilled to welcome Panasonic, as a new sponsor of World Heart Day in 2011, said Kathryn Taubert, Senior Science Officer from the World Heart Federation. "Their support will mean we can further raise awareness about heart disease and stroke, and educate people on the steps they can take to lower their risk."
Together with its members, the World Heart Federation spreads the news that at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided if the main risk factors, tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, are controlled. The World Heart Federation develops the World Heart Day Campaign materials and toolkit, which is then disseminated to World Heart Federation members globally who use the resources to implement local activities.
"Panasonic strives to be a leader in Personalized Preventive Medicine and by sponsoring the 2011 World Heart Day – we want to help emphasize the importance of living healthy lifestyles, and understanding the risks associated with heart disease," said Joseph M. Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Panasonic Corporation of North America. "Working together with the World Heart Federation, a global entity, makes this a powerful platform to educate the world with medical facts, as well as participate in local activities."
To further the company's commitment to Personalized Preventive Medicine and the importance of heart health, Panasonic will exhibit at the 2010 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions show to be held in Chicago from November 14 – November 17, 2010 at booth number 1831, to unveil the company's flagship diagnostic technologies.
In May, the president of Panasonic Corporation, Fumio Ohtsubo stated Panasonic's worldwide intention to reinforce the healthcare business and he announced the plan to change its health and wellness subsidiary's name from Panasonic Shikoku Electronics Co., Ltd to Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd on October 1, 2010. On October 25, Panasonic Corporation of North America announced the formation of CardioNexus Corporation, an initiative to enter the application-specific device market and a step toward establishing a leadership position in the field of Personalized Preventive Medicine through early disease detection and home healthcare.
About Panasonic Corporation of North America
Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC), and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic Corporation of North America's newly formed Healthcare Group brings together Panasonic's expertise in a wide range of health and medical device technologies, including hearing care. Additional Panasonic information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
About the World Heart Federation
The World Heart Federation is dedicated to leading the global fight against heart disease and stroke with a focus on low- and middle-income countries via a united community of more than 200 member organizations. With its members, the World Heart Federation works to build global commitment to addressing cardiovascular health at the policy level, generates and exchanges ideas, shares best practice, advances scientific knowledge and promotes knowledge transfer to tackle cardiovascular disease – the world's number one killer. It is a growing membership organization that brings together the strength of medical societies and heart foundations from more than 100 countries. Through our collective efforts we can help people all over the world to lead longer and better heart-healthy lives. www.worldheart.org
About Panasonic Healthcare Co. Ltd.
Panasonic Healthcare Co, Ltd., headquartered in Matsuyama, Japan, is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) that specializes in the development and manufacture of healthcare products, including blood glucose monitoring systems, ultrasound diagnostic systems and hearing instruments. Founded in 1948, the company has been developing cutting-edge technologies in in-vitro diagnostic systems, medical imaging, hearing solutions, medical instruments and hospital systems to provide value-added solutions to healthcare professionals and patients. The previous corporate name was Panasonic Shikoku Electronics Co Ltd., which was changed to the current name on October 1, 2010. For more information, visit http://panasonic.net/corporate/segments/phc/.
SOURCE Panasonic