EDMA endorses the campaign against excessive use of salt

EDMA, the European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association, fully endorses the 2011 World Salt Awareness Week theme “Salt and Men’s Health” as the latter reminds that more men than women die prematurely of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

CVD account for 29% preventable deaths in men as opposed to 21% in women. Moreover, men eat more salt than women, have a higher blood pressure (especially at a younger age), and are less likely to have their blood pressure measured or to take action to reduce it.

Promoted by WASH (World Action on Salt and Health) and organised since 2008, the World Salt Awareness Week will be celebrated this year in 34 countries and is all about spreading information on the consequences an excessive use of salt can lead to such as obesity, adverse effects on kidneys, fluid retention, asthma, cancer of stomach, and osteoporosis.

EDMA has proven its long-standing commitment to most of the diseases associated with an excessive use of salt, in particular through a dedicated taskforce on cardiovascular diseases and the promotion of the added value of testing. To this end, EDMA coordinates Lab Tests Online (www.labtestsonline.info), a global, multilingual, peer-reviewed, patient-centred and non-commercial information portal on laboratory testing originally developed by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC).

EDMA, the European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association, represents national associations and major companies engaged in the research, development, manufacture or distribution of In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) tests in Europe. Through its membership, EDMA represents in total more than 500 companies (or over 700 legal entities) across Europe. The mission of EDMA is to raise awareness of the importance, usefulness and added value that diagnostic information can provide to healthcare. For this purpose, EDMA cooperates with European institutions, patients groups, trade associations, health professionals and academia to support an appropriate regulatory system, to work towards a realistic economic environment for healthcare in Europe and to be an effective voice in globalisation.

For more information, please visit the EDMA website or contact: Daniele Dosi, EDMA Communications Officer (Tel. +32 2 777 02 78)