Munich Re, Canada (Life) and Heart & Stroke Join Forces in the Fight Against Cardiovascular Disease

Commence a strategic partnership to advance women's heart and brain health through awareness and prevention

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Munich Reinsurance Company’s Canadian life branch (Munich Re) today announced a strategic partnership with Heart & Stroke reinforcing its commitment to combatting cardiovascular disease. With this partnership, Munich Re will provide financial support for the Heart & Stroke Women's Heart and Brain Health Initiative, which aims to address systemic inequities in women's heart and brain health research. Munich Re will also launch nationwide philanthropic campaigns to engage our key stakeholders in supporting Heart & Stroke's mission.

In Canada, cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death. Munich Re will join Heart & Stroke in advancing awareness and prevention of cardiovascular disease, focusing on women's health equity. As it stands today, two-thirds of heart and stroke clinical research is based on men. Together, Munich Re and Heart & Stroke will work towards correcting this gender-based disparity and to ensure that women are diagnosed early, appropriately treated, and enjoy optimal cardiovascular health.

Commenting on the partnership, Bernard Naumann, President and CEO, Munich Re, Canada (Life), said, "We are honoured to embark on this journey with Heart & Stroke to bring awareness to the current inequities in women's cardiovascular health. Within the insurance industry, cardiovascular disease is the second-highest cause of life and critical illness insurance claims. To be able to partner with organizations like Heart & Stroke, who are at the forefront of cardiovascular health research, is an important part of our mission as a leading life reinsurer to help people live longer, healthier lives."

“We are thrilled that Munich Re has joined us in our efforts to beat heart disease and stroke in women,” says Diego Marchese, Executive Vice President, Mission, Research and Social Enterprise, Heart & Stroke. “We know that over half of women who experience heart attack symptoms have them go unrecognized and women are disproportionately affected by stroke. By working together we will be better able to raise awareness, drive change and close the equity gap.”

Since launching the Women’s Heart and Brain Health Initiative in 2016, Heart & Stroke has sought to stimulate dialogue about heart disease and stroke in women, address sex and gender disparities in prevention and management, and ultimately transform and save women’s lives through strategic capacity building, research, and knowledge exchange.

About the Munich Re Group

Munich Re is one of the world's leading providers of reinsurance, primary insurance and insurance-related risk solutions. The group consists of the reinsurance and ERGO business segments, as well as the capital investment company MEAG. Munich Re is globally active and operates in all lines of the insurance business. Its tailor-made solutions and close proximity to its customers make Munich Re one of the world's most sought-after risk partners for businesses, institutions, and private individuals.

About Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

Life. We don’t want you to miss it. That’s why Heart & Stroke leads the fight to beat heart disease and stroke. We must generate the next medical breakthroughs, so Canadians don’t miss out on precious moments. Together, we are working to promote health, save lives and promote recovery through research, prevention, and public policy.