asked the Minister for Health if he has studied the results of the Kilkenny health project; and the plans he has for a national campaign to combat coronary heart disease.
Written Answers. - Coronary Heart Disease.
85.
I have studied the interim report of the Kilkenny Health Project published in November, which sets out the results of a baseline study on the health of the population in Kilkenny, and the programme of future activity for the project. The project is due to run for a further three years and based on the conclusions drawn on the success of particular measures in combating coronary heart disease the question of a national programme will be considered.
In the meantime, there are already a number of national initiatives being taken which are related to coronary heart disease. Examples include the various anti-smoking measures and the activities of the Irish Heart Foundation.
Heart disease is one of a number of contemporary health problems in which a policy of active health promotion could have a significant impact. Such a policy could only succeed, however, on the basis of a community wide commitment to the protection of health and measures to promote positive health.
This is one of a number of fundamental issues in health policy which should be opened up to public debate with the intention of arriving at some new consensus on the broad direction and content of future policy in relation to health.
To this end I will be publishing a consultative document on health policy in the next week.