DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, April 18th 2012 [ME NewsWire]
For NON-US and NON-UK Media Only
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 1 Mission 1 Million – Getting to the Heart of Stroke announces plans to launch an exciting new phase of the initiative. Campaign sponsor Boehringer Ingelheim, in collaboration with AntiCoagulation Europe (ACE), the Atrial Fibrillation Association (AFA), the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE) and the World Heart Federation (WHF), will continue to raise awareness of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its link to stroke, working hard to improve management of this condition. Community-based action is at the heart of this global initiative and during 2012 the campaign will continue to support projects around the world which aim to help prevent AF-related stroke.
“2012 will offer more opportunities for those working to prevent AF–related strokes”, said Dr Kathryn Taubert, Chief Science Officer for the World Heart Federation. “Many people are not fully aware of the increased risk of stroke associated with AF, despite it being the most common heart rhythm abnormality.1 The World Heart Federation is proud to support 1 Mission 1 Million, an initiative which will continue to raise awareness and make a positive impact to those affected by this condition.”
As many as three million people worldwide have an AF-related stroke every year; equivalent to one person every 10 seconds.2-5 One in four people aged 40 years or older develop AF, the most common sustained heart rhythm abnormality worldwide, during their lifetime.1,6 In addition, AF-related strokes are more severe and are associated with more disability than non-atrial fibrillation strokes.7,8
During World Heart Rhythm Week, 21-27 May 2012, 1 Mission 1 Million will reveal more details about their plans to support ongoing work in AF and additional planned activities taking place later this year. 1 Mission 1 Million will continue to support projects around the world which aim to help prevent AF-related stroke and is working with campaign supporters to determine how activities will be run in 2012. 1 Mission 1 Million further intends to provide a platform for patients, carers and all interested individuals to share their AF stories to inspire others to contribute to preventing AF- related stroke. A petition is also planned to unite people around the globe to support initiatives contributing to the aims of 1 Mission 1 Million.
“1 Mission 1 Million has already made a huge difference by funding AF-related stroke prevention projects and potentially saving many lives.” said Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the Atrial Fibrillation Association. “2012 represents another exciting year for the initiative as even bolder measures are taken to encourage action at both a community and global level. There will be many ways people can get involved and come together to ensure AF-related stroke prevention is recognised and managed effectively across the world.”
Thirty-two 1 Mission 1 Million winning projects across 18 different countries are currently being implemented to help prevent AF-related strokes. The projects received a share of €1 million in funding in 2011 and have been sending regular and encouraging updates on their progress. From these detailed reports, we estimate that so far more than 200,000 people are already directly benefitting from the ongoing work to help prevent AF-related strokes. This ranges from free ECG screenings, to radio and TV broadcasts, to large scale awareness events.
To benefit even more people this year, we want to encourage anyone who is involved in the management of AF, is affected by AF or simply has an interest in AF, to get involved with 1 Mission 1 Million. To join our mission, please contact the campaign organisers, info@heartofstroke.com.
For more information about 1 Mission 1 Million or to learn more about AF-related stroke, please visit www.heartofstroke.com.
Notes to Editors
About Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
AF is the most common sustained heart rhythm abnormality worldwide with one in four adults over the age of 40 developing AF in their lifetime.1,6 AF causes the heart to beat irregularly and often too quickly or too slowly.9 People with AF are five times more likely to suffer a stroke than people without AF and AF-related strokes tend to be more severe and disabling than non AF-related strokes.7,8,10 Many AF-related strokes can be prevented with correct management but many patients are not aware of their risk and so take no action to prevent it.11
About 1 Mission 1 Million
1 Mission 1 Million – Getting to the Heart ofStroke is a global disease awareness initiative, supported by leading health experts and more than 40 patient and professional organisations including AntiCoagulation Europe, the Atrial Fibrillation Association, the Stroke Alliance for Europe and the World Heart Federation and is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.
In 2011, two million public votes were received online for 184 1 Mission 1 Million project submissions entered by individuals, patient and professional groups and healthcare centres across 36 countries. Each submission proposed an approach to increase awareness of AF-related stroke within the community whether through research, screening programmes or the creation of patient groups.1 Mission 1 Million awarded €1 million in funding to 32 winning projects spanning the globe from Malaysia to Canada across 18 different countries.
This year 1 Mission 1 Million will build on the success of 2011 to create an even bigger initiative, reaching more people worldwide. 1 Mission 1 Million will continue to support projects around the world which aim to help prevent AF-related stroke. 1 Mission 1 Million intends to provide a platform for patients, carers and all interested individuals to share their AF stories to inspire others to contribute to preventing AF-related stroke. A petition is also planned to unite people around the globe to support initiatives contributing to the aims of 1 Mission 1 Million.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 145 affiliates and more than 42,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.
As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim pledges to act socially responsible. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim’s endeavors.
In 2010, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of about 12.6 billion euro while spending almost 24% of net sales in its largest business segment Prescription Medicines on research and development. Updated information on the corporation’s annual results in 2011 will be available on April 24th, 2012.
For more information please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com
References
1. Stewart S, Murphy N, Walker A, et al. Cost of an emerging epidemic: an economic analysis of atrial fibrillation in the UK. Heart 2004;90:286-92.
2. Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke, World Health Organization, September 2004. Viewed March 2011 at http://www.who.int/cardiovascular_diseases/en/cvd_atlas_15_burden_stroke.pdf
3. Global Atlas on cardiovascular disease prevention and control. Viewed April 2012
http://www.world-heart-federation.org/publications/reports/global-atlas-on-cvd/
4. Wolf PA, Abbott RD, Kannel WB. Atrial fibrillation as an independent risk factor for stroke: the Framingham Study. Stroke 1991; 22(8);983-8.
5. Marini C, De Santis F, Sacco S, et al. Contribution of atrial fibrillation to incidence and outcome of ischaemic stroke: results from a population-based study. Stroke 2005; 36:1115-9.
6. Lloyd-Jones DM, Wang TJ, Leip EP, et al. Lifetime risk for development of atrial fibrillation: the Framingham Heart Study. Circulation 2004; 110:1042-6.
7. Lin HJ, Wolf PA, Kelly-Hayes M, et al. Stroke severity in atrial fibrillation: the Framingham study. Stroke 1996; 27:1760-4.
8. Kelly-Hayes M, et al. The influence of gender and age on disability following ischemic stroke: The Framingham Study. J Stroke Carebrovasc Dis 2003; 12:119-26.
9. Goodacre S, et al. ABC of clinical electrocardiography. Atrial arrhythmias. Br Med J 2002; 324:594-7.
10. Kannel WB & Benjamin EF. Status of the epidemiology of atrial fibrillation. Med Clin North Am 2008;92:17-40.
11. Hart GR, et al. Meta-analysis: Antithrombotic therapy to prevent stroke in patients who have nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Ann Intern Med 2007; 146:857-867.
Contacts
Boehringer Ingelheim GbmH
Dr. Reinhard Malin
Phone + 49 - 6132 - 77 90815
Email: press@boehringer-ingelheim.com
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