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World Economic Forum and World Health Organization: Joint Event on Chronic Disease Prevention in the Workplace Dalian, People’s Republic of China, 6 September 2007 – Experts and delegates from the World Economic Forum’s Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian took part in the first joint World Economic Forum and World Health Organization event to create and stimulate effective workplace wellness programmes from 5 to 6 September 2007. Key areas of discussion over the two days in Dalian were: a. Why the workplace is a suitable setting for chronic disease prevention and evidence-based interventions to prevent chronic diseases at the workplace through the promotion of healthy diets and physical activity b. Economic benefits and cost-effectiveness of chronic diseases prevention programmes in the workplace addressing specifically healthy diets and physical activity c. Monitoring and evaluation of chronic disease prevention programmes in the workplace that address healthy diets and physical activity d. Role of different stakeholders in developing and implementing chronic disease prevention programmes in the workplace addressing healthy diets and physical activity The World Economic Forum and World Health Organization will launch a report on stimulating workplace wellness at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008. Chronic diseases (including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory disease) are the leading causes of death and disability around the world – causing double the number of deaths each year from all infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Only 20% of chronic disease deaths occur in high income countries – while 80% occur in low and middle income countries, where most of the world’s population lives. Yet the solutions are known and much of the problem can be prevented. With the global workforce increasing, and the growing amount of time spent at work, experts agree that the workplace is an essential setting for effective prevention strategies including the promotion of long-term lifestyle and behaviour change. Major global companies are designing and implementing wellness programmes globally to effectively address key chronic disease risk factors. "China, with the world’s largest workforce and rapidly rising levels of chronic disease, is the most appropriate place to hold this meeting. There are already 300 million adult male smokers and 160 million hypertension sufferers," said Janet Voûte, CEO of the World Heart Federation, engaged in the organization of the joint World Economic Forum/World Health Organization event on chronic diseases prevention and key partner of the World Economic Forum’s Working Towards Wellness Initiative launched in 2006. Dr Catherine le Galès-Camus, Assistant Director-General at the World Health Organization commented: "Chronic disease prevention is an important part of the solution. Healthy diets, physical activity and tobacco control are being promoted by governments around the world and everyone has a role in prevention and control of chronic diseases. I am pleased to see that the commercial sector is examining chronic disease prevention through workplace initiatives." Richard Samans, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum commented: "We view this initiative as a key opportunity for stakeholders to come together to create comprehensive and tangible solutions to address chronic disease prevention globally".
Note to Editors
The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. |
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