Chrysler Group Launches 'BP Success - You Auto Know' to Improve Blood Pressure Control Among Employees
01 Novembre 2006 - 4:45PM
PR Newswire (US)
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Chrysler
Group recently launched a new national workplace wellness program
called the "BP Success Zone - You Auto Know" to help its employees
better understand the importance of having their blood pressure
under control and then maintaining it. BP Success Zone was
developed in partnership with Novartis Pharmaceuticals. The
program, which was introduced on Sept. 19, will be conducted in 28
Chrysler Group facilities across the country in cooperation with
the Company's wellness vendors -- The StayWell Company and the
American Institute for Preventive Medicine. The year-long program
includes: * Quarterly blood pressure screenings for employees *
Talks by healthcare professionals including dietitians on the
importance of treating hypertension and making healthy lifestyle
choices * Awareness outreach to community physicians * Numerous
educational tools (brochures, biometric tracking cards, website,
and newsletters) to help engage and maintain awareness of the
perils of high blood pressure. High blood pressure has become a
national health crisis, contributing to the deaths of almost 30
Americans every hour of every day. More than 65 million people in
the U.S. -- nearly one in three -- have high blood pressure, and
more than 50 percent of those who are taking blood pressure
medication still have inadequate control. When blood pressure is
too great, each heartbeat can damage the vessels and restrict blood
flow to vital organs. Getting blood pressure down to less than
140/90 to 120/80 mm Hg or lower may reduce the risk of eye and
kidney damage, stroke, heart attack and other serious health
problems. The total direct costs of treating high blood pressure in
the U.S. are estimated at $29.6 billion, in addition to $10.8
billion in indirect costs from lost productivity (2001 figures).
"We are committed to keeping DaimlerChrysler employees healthy and
are excited to be at the forefront of companies driving employee
health initiatives," said Kate Kohn-Parrott, Chrysler Group
Director - Integrated Health Care and Disability. "We believe the
BP Success Zone program will give employees valuable tools to map
out a plan to manage their blood pressure." At the program's
conclusion, Chrysler Group will work with Novartis to study the
program's effectiveness, which will include: * Evaluating the
impact of BP Success Zone and the educational interventions on the
level of BP control * Measuring the prevalence of hypertension in
employed population (diagnosed / undiagnosed) * Characterizing
hypertension in the employed population * Evaluating cardiovascular
risk factors via the health risk assessment "Uncontrolled high
blood pressure needs to be recognized as a priority, as it
significantly increases a person's risk for heart attack and
stroke. Novartis is committed to working with the Chrysler Group to
help people understand the dangers of high blood pressure and
motivate them to work with their healthcare professional to get it
to a healthier level," said Donald W. DeGolyer, Vice President,
Strategic Accounts, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. The BP
Success Zone program (http://www.bpsuccesszone.com/ ) was
originally created by Novartis and includes comprehensive and
customized patient support and education programs in the area of
hypertension. People in the program receive information about
treatment, education and tailored action plans to help reach blood
pressure goals set for them by their health care professionals.
About the Chrysler Group DaimlerChrysler Corporation, also known as
the Chrysler Group, is the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based unit of
DaimlerChrysler AG, the world's fifth- largest automaker. Employing
more than 86,000 worldwide, DaimlerChrysler Corp. manufactures,
markets, distributes and -- through its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge
dealers -- sells cars, minivans, sport-utility vehicles and trucks
to customers worldwide. Chrysler Group operates in more than 100
countries and in 2005, sold 2.8 million vehicles globally. Chrysler
Group's manufacturing facilities include 14 assembly plants, 13
power train plants, three stamping operations, six technical
centers in North America, and seven manufacturing affiliations
outside of North America. The Company also has 22 parts
distribution centers throughout North America. About Novartis
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation develops, manufactures,
markets and sells leading innovative prescription drugs used to
treat a number of diseases and conditions, including those in the
cardiovascular, metabolic, cancer, organ transplantation, central
nervous system, dermatological, gastrointestinal and respiratory
areas. The company's mission is to improve people's lives by
pioneering novel healthcare solutions. Located in East Hanover, New
Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) -- a world leader in offering medicines to
protect health, treat disease and improve well-being. Our goal is
to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to
treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life.
Novartis is the only company with leadership positions in both
patented and generic pharmaceuticals. We are strengthening our
medicine-based portfolio, which is focused on strategic growth
platforms in innovation-driven pharmaceuticals, high-quality and
low-cost generics and leading self-medication OTC brands. In 2005,
the Group's businesses achieved net sales of $32.2 billion and net
income of $6.1 billion. Approximately $4.8 billion was invested in
RD. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 91,000 people and
operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more
information, please visit http://www.novartis.com/ . DATASOURCE:
Chrysler Group CONTACT: David Elshoff, +1-248-512-2690, , or Angela
Ford, +1-248-512-2986, , both of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://www.novartis.com/
http://www.bpsuccesszone.com/
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