Panasonic Sponsors World Heart Day to Support Launch of Panasonic Healthcare

Panasonic, has become a corporate sponsor of the 2011 World Heart Day taking place on September 29, 2011. World Heart Day, created by the World Heart Federation was first celebrated in 2000 and was created to inform people around the world about the risks of heart disease and stroke.

"We are thrilled to welcome Panasonic, as a new sponsor of World Heart Day in 2011, said Kathryn Taubert, Senior Science Officer from the World Heart Federation. "Their support will mean we can further raise awareness about heart disease and stroke, and educate people on the steps they can take to lower their risk."

According to the World Health Organization, heart disease and stroke are the world's leading cause of death, claiming 17.1 million lives each year.

"Panasonic strives to be a leader in Personalized Preventive Medicine and by sponsoring the 2011 World Heart Day - we want to help emphasize the importance of living healthy lifestyles, and understanding the risks associated with heart disease," said Joseph M. Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Panasonic Corporation of North America. "Working together with the World Heart Federation, a global entity, makes this a powerful platform to educate the world with medical facts, as well as participate in local activities."

The sponsorship supports Panasonic's new strategy within the healthcare space. Panasonic changed its health and wellness subsidiary's name from Panasonic Shikoku Electronics Co., Ltd to Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd on October 1, 2010. On October 25, Panasonic Corporation of North America announced the formation of CardioNexus Corporation, an initiative to enter the application-specific device market and an important step toward establishing a position in the field of Personalized Preventive Medicine through early disease detection and home healthcare.