Local Business and Medical Leaders Discuss Wellness Programs to Cut Business Costs

Local Business and Medical Leaders Discuss Wellness Programs to Cut Business Costs

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- David Brennan, President and CEO of AstraZeneca U.S. and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association in Southeastern Pennsylvania, will lead a panel discussion on CN8's Money Matters Today, hosted by Mary Caraccioli, on ways businesses can save money by promoting wellness programs for employees. The segment, to air March 3rd at 8 p.m., also features Dr. Michael Parmacek, Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine for the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Director of Penn's Cardiovascular Institute, Jenifer Bland-Campbell, Director of Nutrition Program Development at ARAMARK and Harold L. "Hal" Yoh III, Chairman and CEO Day & Zimmermann.

Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 cause of death of all Americans. In 2003, the Center for Disease Control estimated that heart disease and stroke cost the nation $351 billion: $142 billion in lost productivity from death and disability and $209 billion in health care expenditures. Almost 13 million Americans have coronary heart disease, the leading cause of premature, permanent disability for members of the workforce - about 1.1 million new cases occur each year. Collectively, cardiovascular disease (including stroke), cancer and diabetes account for approximately 66 percent of all deaths in the U.S. and about $700 billion in direct and indirect economic costs each year. An adult smoker costs an employer an extra $3,400 per year and smoking leads to increased absenteeism, decreased productivity and increased health and life insurance premiums and claims. It has been estimated that obesity costs U.S. companies $13 billion per year.

Employer sponsored wellness programs such as smoking cessation, free flu shots, obesity counseling, general health and nutrition education, and prevention screenings have been proven to save businesses money. The panel will discuss ways to save businesses money through various programs and will detail programs that have been successful in their own companies and others. A CDC evaluation of nine organizations with workplace health management interventions found a return on investment ranging from $1.40 to $490 per dollar spent.

Biographies of Panelists:

David R. Brennan

Brennan is President and CEO of AstraZeneca North America. He is responsible for over 12,000 employees in the U.S. and Canada business. In addition to his duties with AstraZeneca, he is a member of the Executive Board of PhRMA, Chair of the State and Alliance Committee, member of the Board of Advisors at Christiana Care Health System in Delaware, Chairman of the Board for the American Heart Association in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Vice President, C-Change (Roundtable on Cancer).

AstraZeneca is a major international research based pharmaceutical company engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceutical products. AstraZeneca is headquartered in London with its U.S. headquarters located in Wilmington, Delaware. Wilmington is also the global home for the company's Neuroscience commercial and research and development efforts. AstraZeneca operates ten different R&D sites and has sales activities in over 100 countries and manufacturing facilities in 20 countries.

Jenifer Bland-Campbell, RD

Bland-Campbell works to provide nutrition guidance and consultation to ARAMARK chefs developing menu programs that reach the 15 million customers ARAMARK serves every day in healthcare institutions, businesses, universities, school districts, sports and entertainment facilities, and convention and conference centers. She also oversees development of nutrition education programs and materials to educate ARAMARK customers about proper nutrition and healthy lifestyles. With more than 20 years experience in foodservice and clinical nutrition management, Bland-Campbell was most recently Regional Director of Patient/Clinical Services for ARAMARK's Healthcare Management Services group, which provides innovative services to more than 1,200 hospitals, healthcare systems and senior living facilities across North America.

Michael S. Parmacek, MD

Dr. Parmacek is Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine for the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Director of Penn's Cardiovascular Institute. A graduate of Northwestern University Medical School, he is a member of the American Heart Association Basic Research Council, International Society for Heart Research, American Federation of Clinical Research, and North American Vascular Biology Organization. PENN Medicine is a $2.7 billion enterprise dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and high-quality patient care. Penn Health System is comprised of three hospitals (the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, consistently rated one of the nation's "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report; Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital and Presbyterian Medical Center); a faculty practice plan; a primary-care provider network; two multi- specialty satellite facilities; and home health care and hospice.

Harold L. (Hal) Yoh III

Yoh is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Day & Zimmermann, a leading global provider of diversified managed services for 1700 customers ranging from FORTUNE(R) 500 and other commercial companies to government agencies and public utilities. As president since 1996, and chairman and CEO since 1999, Yoh has overall leadership responsibility for the company, which operates from more than 150 locations worldwide, employs 20,000 professionals, was named the U.S. National Family Business of the Year (1998), and is currently ranked as one of the largest private companies in America by Forbes. He is an executive committee and board member of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the PENJERDEL Council, and a board member for WHYY (the Delaware Valley's public television and radio broadcast station). In addition, he serves on numerous of boards and committees for his alma mater, Duke University.

Since 1924 the American Heart Association has helped protect people of all ages and ethnicities from the ravages of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, the nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, claim more than 930,000 American lives a year. The association invested more than $407 million in fiscal year 2002-03 for research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs so people across America can live stronger, longer lives.

Source: American Heart Association

CONTACT: Beth Huffman of American Heart Association, +1-610-940-9628,
Elizabeth.Huffman@heart.org

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