Children’s HeartLink to Begin Next Phase of the Global Study of Children’s Cardiac Health

To explore the state of children’s heart disease and identify organizations and strategies across the globe that are successfully responding to the causes and consequences of children’s heart disease.

Minneapolis, MN June 27 – Children HeartLink (CHL), an international medical nonprofit, announced the launch of the second installment of a research series into factors related to global advances in pediatric heart health in developing countries.   The study will be conducted during the summer and fall of 2006, and will again be completed in cooperation with The WHO, The University of Minnesota and the World Heart Foundation.

This year’s focus will build on the past investigation of the incidence and prevalence of congenital and acquired heart disease in children.  It will now also highlight trends and issues in the attraction and retention of specially trained nurses and physicians into the pediatric heart health arena.

The report will be presented at the Third Global Humanitarian Forum on Humanitarian Medicine in Geneva in May 2007.

Support for this endeavor has been assembled by the Board of CHL and a variety of corporate sponsors.   An Editorial Board consisting of global leaders in pediatric cardiac care will review and determine publication of the submitted data.  The Editorial Board is chaired by Joseph A. Dearani, M.D., cardiovascular surgeon at Mayo Clinic and CHL Medical Director.  All persons interested in participating in this study, or in receiving copies of the final report should contact the Project Manager, Bistra Zheleva at bistra@childrensheartlink.org.

CHL is a 36-year-old medical non-profit, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, dedicated to enhancing the capacity of hospitals and health professionals to diagnose treat and prevent heart disease among underprivileged children in developing countries.  The strategy of CHL is to provide support that builds sustainable quality cardiac services in developing countries, ensuring more children’s lives are saved. 

CHL currently works with hospitals in Kenya, India, China, Costa Rica, Ukraine, Malaysia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and South Africa, providing screening and treatment to thousands of children each year. Please refer to our website for additional information about our work and international network of volunteers at www.childrensheartlink.org.

Contact:  Bistra Zheleva, Children’s HeartLink, 952-928-4860 ext. 11, Bistra@childrensheartlink.org