ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Sept. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second consecutive year, Abbott (NYSE: ABT) was named the leading company in its industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), one of the most prestigious global benchmarks for corporate responsibility and sustainability. As the Industry Group Leader in Health Care Equipment & Services, Abbott was one of only 24 companies selected for leading their respective industries. The DJSI leaders are chosen from among more than 3,000 of the largest companies worldwide, including companies in developed and emerging markets. This was the 10^th consecutive year that Abbott was recognized for sustainability leadership through its inclusion on the DJSI, including both the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and North America Index.

"Abbott fulfills its potential as a company by helping others to fulfill theirs. This applies to all that we do as an innovator, as a business, as an employer and as a neighbor," said Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. "When making people healthier is why you go to work every day, it shapes the way you think and act. And it breeds a deep sense of respect and responsibility for our world and the people we serve."

In the DJSI analysis, Abbott earned the highest industry scores for economic and social performance, and ranked higher than 92 percent of its peer group companies for environmental performance. Abbott achieved the top industry ranking in multiple categories, including innovation management; marketing practices; supply chain management; stakeholder engagement; customer relationship management; talent attraction and retention; labor practices and human rights; strategy to improve access to drugs or products; corporate citizenship and philanthropy; health outcome contribution; and occupational health and safety.

In addition to being named a broader Industry Group Leader, Abbott also was the leader in its specific DJSI industry group, Health Care Equipment & Supplies. The company's overall score of 83 was more than double the average score of 41 for other companies in the industry.

About Abbott's Approach to Citizenship

At Abbott, we see tremendous potential to make life better. This idea is at the core of our business, and our approach to responsible global citizenship. We call it the Upside – the relentless pursuit of unlocking the power of health to build better lives and stronger communities.

In pursuit of the Upside, we're working to build a more responsible, sustainable and inclusive business that reaches more people, in more places, than ever before. We focus on three priority areas that are most important for our business and the many people we serve:  delivering product excellence, improving access and safeguarding the environment. By applying our science, products and expertise in these three areas, we're working to maximize the promise of human potential, around the world.

In addition to being included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 10 years, Abbott has been named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by Corporate Responsibility magazine for six consecutive years, and has been recognized for responsible citizenship in countries around the world.

To learn more about Abbott's sustainability initiatives and reporting, please visit www.abbott.com/citizenship.

About the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices

The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices are maintained collaboratively by S&P Dow Jones Indices, one of the world's leading providers of financial market indices, and RobecoSAM, the investment specialist focused exclusively on Sustainability Investing. Launched in 1999, the DJSI World is the first global index to track the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide based on an analysis of financially material economic, environmental, and social factors. The indices serve as benchmarks for investors who integrate sustainability considerations into their portfolios, and provide an effective engagement platform for companies who want to adopt sustainable best practices. For additional information on the DJSI, please visit www.sustainability-indices.com and www.djindexes.com/sustainability.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare company devoted to improving life through the development of products and technologies that span the breadth of healthcare. With a portfolio of leading, science-based offerings in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals, Abbott serves people in more than 150 countries and employs approximately 69,000 people.

Visit Abbott at www.abbott.com and connect with us on Twitter at @AbbottNews.

SOURCE Abbott