Chrysler Group Launches 'BP Success - You Auto Know' to Improve Blood Pressure Control Among Employees

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Chrysler
Group recently launched a new national workplace wellness program called
the "BP Success Zone - You Auto Know" to help its employees better
understand the importance of having their blood pressure under control and
then maintaining it.

BP Success Zone was developed in partnership with Novartis
Pharmaceuticals. The program, which was introduced on Sept. 19, will be
conducted in 28 Chrysler Group facilities across the country in cooperation
with the Company's wellness vendors -- The StayWell Company and the
American Institute for Preventive Medicine.

The year-long program includes:
* Quarterly blood pressure screenings for employees
* Talks by healthcare professionals including dietitians on the
importance of treating hypertension and making healthy lifestyle choices
* Awareness outreach to community physicians
* Numerous educational tools (brochures, biometric tracking cards,
website, and newsletters) to help engage and maintain awareness of the
perils of high blood pressure.

High blood pressure has become a national health crisis, contributing
to the deaths of almost 30 Americans every hour of every day. More than 65
million people in the U.S. -- nearly one in three -- have high blood
pressure, and more than 50 percent of those who are taking blood pressure
medication still have inadequate control. When blood pressure is too great,
each heartbeat can damage the vessels and restrict blood flow to vital
organs. Getting blood pressure down to less than 140/90 to 120/80 mm Hg or
lower may reduce the risk of eye and kidney damage, stroke, heart attack
and other serious health problems. The total direct costs of treating high
blood pressure in the U.S. are estimated at $29.6 billion, in addition to
$10.8 billion in indirect costs from lost productivity (2001 figures).

"We are committed to keeping DaimlerChrysler employees healthy and are
excited to be at the forefront of companies driving employee health
initiatives," said Kate Kohn-Parrott, Chrysler Group Director - Integrated
Health Care and Disability. "We believe the BP Success Zone program will
give employees valuable tools to map out a plan to manage their blood
pressure."

At the program's conclusion, Chrysler Group will work with Novartis to
study the program's effectiveness, which will include:
* Evaluating the impact of BP Success Zone and the educational
interventions on the level of BP control
* Measuring the prevalence of hypertension in employed population
(diagnosed / undiagnosed)
* Characterizing hypertension in the employed population
* Evaluating cardiovascular risk factors via the health risk assessment
"Uncontrolled high blood pressure needs to be recognized as a priority,
as it significantly increases a person's risk for heart attack and stroke.
Novartis is committed to working with the Chrysler Group to help people
understand the dangers of high blood pressure and motivate them to work
with their healthcare professional to get it to a healthier level," said
Donald W. DeGolyer, Vice President, Strategic Accounts, Novartis
Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

The BP Success Zone program (http://www.bpsuccesszone.com ) was
originally created by Novartis and includes comprehensive and customized
patient support and education programs in the area of hypertension. People
in the program receive information about treatment, education and tailored
action plans to help reach blood pressure goals set for them by their
health care professionals.