The HSFSA noted that South Africa, as a middle-income country, is particularly affected, with heart disease and stroke impacting many people of working age.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) will commemorate Employee Wellness Week (EWW) from July 1 to 7, 2026, focusing the importance of workplace wellness in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
According to the foundation, heart disease and stroke remain the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that CVD accounted for 32% of all deaths globally in 2022, claiming 19.8 million lives, with heart attacks and strokes responsible for 85% of these deaths.
The HSFSA noted that South Africa, as a middle-income country, is particularly affected, with heart disease and stroke impacting many people of working age. With an estimated 16.7 million South Africans employed, workplaces are seen as a critical setting for prevention and early intervention.
The foundation said rising healthcare costs make prevention increasingly important, as medicine prices, specialist fees and hospital costs continue to outpace inflation. It believes workplace wellness programmes can help reduce these costs through early screening and the promotion of healthier lifestyles.
