AstraZeneca PLC Joins The American Heart Association To Promote Workplace Wellness

WILMINGTON, Del., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AstraZeneca joins the American Heart Association (AHA), and other national sponsors Healthy Choice and Subway, this morning to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, officially launching the AHA's national Start! movement to promote walking and other healthy habits in the workplace. Start! encourages Americans and their employers to live longer, stronger lives by engaging in physical activity. In addition to launching Start!, AHA named AstraZeneca the first recipient of its "Fit-Friendly Company" award, which recognizes companies that are taking a lead to support corporate wellness initiatives.

"There is a need to create a new culture of physical activity in our country and turn illness into wellness," said Tony Zook, president and CEO, AstraZeneca U.S. "AstraZeneca understands the urgency of this need and is committed to addressing it by investing in the health of our most valuable asset -- our employees. Through Start! we are excited to make strides to improve the healthcare of our employees, their families, and our local communities."

In addition to offering nutritious food options in the multiple cafeterias on campus and on-site nutrition counselors, AstraZeneca has built indoor and outdoor walking paths and a fitness center to encourage employees to incorporate exercise into their workday.

To spread the word about the benefits of walking outside of the workplace, AstraZeneca, with a strong legacy in cardiovascular treatments, will be the national sponsor of the Start! Create Hope village at numerous AHA Start! Heart Walks across the country. The village, which will provide walkers with an interactive and personalized health experience, will offer free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, educational health information, and tools to promote healthier lifestyles.

Heart disease is the number-one killer in the United States(1), and physical inactivity doubles a person's heart disease risk(2). Walking is one of the simplest ways people can improve their heart health -- it's free, it has the lowest drop-out rate of any physical activity, and just one hour a day can add two hours to a person's life(3). Moreover, American companies pay $225.8 billion each year in health-related productivity losses(4). Incorporating walking into every work day can help change these alarming health statistics, while also helping contain rising healthcare costs. By fostering a culture of physical activity and health, the Start! program is intended to help any company turn its workforce into a WalkForce.

About Start!

Start! Walking Program is the American Heart Association's groundbreaking national campaign that calls on all Americans to commit to fighting the major causes of heart disease and stroke in adults through a comprehensive walking and nutrition program. Start! is recognizing employers who champion the health of their employees and work to create a culture of physical activity and health in the workplace.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of $23.95 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection products. In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $10.77 billion healthcare business with more than 12,000 employees. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.

To learn more about AstraZeneca and the Start! movement, visit AstraZeneca's Web site at http://www.astrazeneca-us.com.

(1) Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention: Addressing the Nation's Leading Killers 2006. Strategies for a Heart-Healthy and Stroke-Free America. (2006) Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, p. 2.

(2) Heart Disease Facts: American Heart Association Web site, http://www.americanheart.org accessed on 11.19.06

(3) Benefits of Walking: American Heart Association Start! Web site, http://www.americanheart.org/start accessed on 11.18.06

(4) Department of Health and Human Services 2002 Study from the American Heart Association Web site, http://www.americanheart.org accessed on 11.19.06

AstraZeneca

CONTACT: Michele Pelkowski, +1-302-885-4055,michele.pelkowski@astrazeneca.com; Adrienne Maxwell, +1-302-885-1872,adrienne.maxwell@astrazeneca.com, both of AstraZeneca

Back to news