For immediate release

June 17, 2010

Kwantlen hosts clinical symposium about South Asians and cardiovascular disease

(METRO VANCOUVER, B.C.) The burden of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other vascular diseases, collectively known as cardiovascular disease (CVD), is reaching epidemic proportions all around the world, but more so amongst the South Asian population, both at home and in the parts of the world they migrated to and settled in.

In partnership with the Canada-India Networking Initiative (CINI) on Cardiovascular Health, Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be hosting the Cardiovascular Health 2010 Pre-Conference Institute Clinical Symposium on South Asians and Cardiovascular Diseases on Sunday, June 20 at its Surrey Campus Conference Centre, 8:00am–5:00pm.

“It is a pleasure for Kwantlen to participate in this important health-care event, especially as an institution located in one of the largest South Asian communities in Canada," said David Atkinson, Kwantlen president and vice-chancellor.

There are more than 1.5 million people of Indian origin living in Canada. While health-care professionals have the knowledge for prevention of CVD, intervention when the disease process manifests, and prevention of further complications, millions of people from South Asia are suffering from CVD, causing a huge healthcare burden and social distress – not to mention physical, emotional and financial strains on individuals.

In a response, this conference will examine CVD prevention from different perspectives – clinical, social and economic. Physicians and health-care professionals from both Canada and India will be in attendance to review the situation and formulate actions in areas including: research, training, health promotion, prevention, health care delivery, innovation, social policy, public health policy, and economic development.

"Through the information shared at this symposium, I hope we are able to reach our ultimate goal of lowering instances of CVD in the South Asian community," said Arvinder Singh Bubber, chancellor of Kwantlen. "I believe that raising awareness is the first step in a positive direction.”

Admission is free and registration is required.

As a leader in innovative and interdisciplinary education, Kwantlen Polytechnic University offers all learners, regardless of background and preparation, opportunities to achieve the highest standards of academic performance. For more information, visit: kwantlen.ca

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For more information about this event, contact:
Mary Jane Stenberg
Executive Director, External Relations
Tel: 604.599.2127
maryjane.stenberg@kwantlen.ca

OR

For more information about Kwantlen, contact:
Audrey Wang
Manager, Communications
Tel: 604.599.2385
audrey.wang@kwantlen.ca