Cardium Health Expands Disease Management Programs with a New
Four-Year Contract

Cardium to expand heart disease prevention to diabetes management and smoking cessation programs nationally

Farmington, CT (January 2004) — Cardium Health, one of the leading providers of multi-disease management programs—with a focus on heart disease and diabetes—to Fortune 1,000 companies, announced that it has entered into a new four-year disease management agreement with Owens-Illinois, Inc (NYSE:OI). Under the new agreement, Cardium is expanding its heart disease and primary prevention services to Owens-Illinois employees and their dependents to include diabetes management and smoking cessation. The diabetes disease management program will focus on preventing the progression of diabetes by reducing complications and re-hospitalizations, minimizing disability and absenteeism, and helping to control the cost of direct medical claims; the smoking cessation program will assist and motivate tobacco-users to break the habit.

In November 2001, Cardium Health began providing coronary artery disease (CAD) management services to Owens-Illinois. After 18 months of service, Cardium has been able to demonstrate verifiable outcomes, a reduction in the rate of repeat hospitalizations by over 65 percent for Owens-Illinois, while greatly enhancing the overall health and well-being of enrolled participants. “Cardium is committed to providing Owens-Illinois with innovative disease management programs that produce substantiated clinical and financial outcomes, says Charleen Ernst, President and CEO of Cardium." We are excited to continue to assist Owens-Illinois in their ongoing mission to provide a healthier, more productive workplace environment through the natural extension into our diabetes management and smoking cessation programs.”

“We are very pleased to broaden our array of disease management programs. Cardium has demonstrated positive clinical and financial outcomes with their CAD program, and we look forward to similar positive results with their diabetes disease management and smoking cessation programs. Owens-Illinois understands the value of integrating disease management programs into our overall benefit plan structure. Cardium’s programs deliver true ROI and long-term shareholder value for Owens-Illinois,” says Renee Ellis, manager of Health & Welfare Plans.

Contact
Jennifer Kaduk
marketing@cardiumhealth.com
860.677.8900

About Cardium Health: Cardium Health is a national health improvement and disease management company. As one of the leading providers of disease management programs to large, self-insured employers, the company’s core focus is on reducing healthcare costs by providing medical support and educational interventions to those individuals with chronic conditions. The Company’s people-centered disease management programs are based on proven clinical and economic best-practice protocols. They include such conditions as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, COPD, back pain and smoking, and easily integrate into employers' back-to-work and wellness initiatives. For more information about Cardium Health and its programs, visit www.cardiumhealth.com, email cardium@cardiumhealth.com, or call 860.677.8900.