Healthy exercise program begins

Representatives of DePuy, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and the Ministry of Health sign a partnership agreement to initiate the 'Exercise for Health' program. The three-year program will teach the public about healthy exercise habits. File photo

Zhou Jian, director of external relations at the Ministry of Health, said when he saw people older than 40 exercising in the park, he was eager to tell them the right way to do physical exercise.

"They run excitedly and do exercise heartily, but they don't know they are hurting their joints badly," Zhou said, adding that a lack of basic health and exercise knowledge has been a serious problem in China.

That's one reason the Ministry of Health partnered with DePuy, an orthopedics treatment brand under the world's leading healthcare company, Johnson & Johnson, to introduce the "Exercise for Health" program this month.

In addition to financial support, Johnson & Johnson will recommend experts and provide training services for the program. The ministry will organize the program, select participating cities and health experts, and coordinate local resources.

Apart from promoting a nutritious diet and healthy exercise habits, the program will pay special attention to arthritis, cervical syndrome, lumbar spondylosis and other orthopedic ailments.

The Ministry of Health will organize an expert team recommended by Johnson & Johnson to diagnose and treat patients for free. Organizers will conduct the program nationwide between November 2011 and November 2012.

Free lectures will be offered in 14 cities during the next three years. Meanwhile, a telephone hotline will be available for the public in 55 cities, providing consulting from orthopedics and exercise experts.

Zhou said the program anticipates providing advice and services to 450,000 citizens.

With annual revenues of $4.5 billion, DePuy provides patients and doctors treatment solutions in the areas of sports medicine, hip and knee reconstruction, trauma, spinal disease and neurological surgery.

"China represents a very strategic opportunity for Johnson & Johnson and the DePuy franchise. It is our most important market in the world," said Michael Mahoney, group chairman of DePuy.

"We have a slogan: 'Never stop moving.' We want to promote an active lifestyle and help educate Chinese people on the benefits of an active lifestyle," Mahoney said.

As for this program, Johnson & Johnson will take advantage of its long-term relationships with orthopedics professionals and experts to benefit the public, according to Xie Wenjian, president of Johnson & Johnson Medical (China) Ltd.

According to Kong Lingzhi, vice chief of disease control at the Ministry of Health, the government has been paying more attention to public health awareness and education, as community medical centers play a more important role for patients in line with the country's healthcare reform plan .

On Sept 1, 2007, the ministry initiated a nationwide campaign urging the public to learn about health and practice healthy living styles.

The campaign received positive responses from local governments and the public. Sports equipment was provided in public places, a theme park opened and cultural performances were held to promote the campaign.

Kong said the "Exercise for Health" program would supplement the government's efforts.

Johnson & Johnson began partnering with the Ministry of Health in May 1995, when the US-based company signed a strategic partnership plan with the ministry and State Food and Drug Administration.

Over 14 years, more than 10,000 medical professionals and senior administrators at thousands of leading hospitals nationwide were trained under the plan, while 100 million-plus yuan was spent to support the program.

"Globally, we invest about $500 million every year on corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. The first principle of our CSR program is to contribute our efforts in the fields we are good at, and the second is that we pay attention to social benefits," Xie said.

(China Daily 11/23/2009 page10)