Environics Communications expands Health Care client roster with Pulmonary Hypertension Association

Washington, October 13, 2009 – The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) has hired Environics Communications to provide national and local grassroots public relations to help raise awareness of this rare blood vessel disorder and assist PHA with providing hope and support for those living with the disease.

Approximately 100,000 people in the U.S. are known to have pulmonary hypertension, in which the pressure in the pulmonary artery (the blood vessel that leads from the heart to the lungs) rises above normal levels and may become life threatening. Pulmonary hypertension is frequently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. By the time it is accurately recognized and treatment is initiated, the condition has often progressed significantly.

PHA has a well-established roster of grassroots community advocates, including patients and health care professionals nationwide. Environics' PR program, developed in conjunction with PHA's in-house team, will assist with grassroots PR training, strategy and implementation. Environics also will support PHA's communications efforts during Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month in November.

"When we searched for PR counsel, Environics showed a strong track record of working with health care organizations on awareness campaigns at both a national and local level," said Rino Aldrighetti, president and CEO of PHA. "The agency will be instrumental in helping us enhance our existing community outreach efforts and communications program to raise awareness among pulmonary hypertension patients and the medical community."

"The fact that pulmonary hypertension often goes undiagnosed until the late stages of the disease demonstrates the critical need for a broad educational campaign," said Dave Groobert, general manager of Environics Communications' U.S. operations. "We will draw upon the organization's strong grassroots network to expand local media outreach and provide a compelling story, ultimately increasing awareness among health care practitioners and the general public."

About the Pulmonary Hypertension Association

Working in a disease state with fewer than 30,000 patients, PHA has grown to 11,000 patient, family and medical professional members, two medication associations within its structure, the world's first medical journal devoted to PH and more than 215 support groups throughout the U.S. PHA is dedicated to finding ways to prevent and cure pulmonary hypertension, and to provide hope for the pulmonary hypertension community through support, education, advocacy and awareness. The vision of PHA is to improve the lives of those affected by pulmonary hypertension. Visit www.phassociation.org for more information about PHA.