Vol. 403 No. 3
9 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the evidence of increasing incidence of osteoprosis among older women and its preventability by the taking of calcium, he has any plans for a public information campaign in this area.
Prevention measures, particularly up to the mid-thirties age bracket, have an important role to play in preventing the onset of osteoporosis.
In that regard exercise and a balanced diet which includes sufficient calcium intake should be followed by the general population and especially women who are at greatest risk of this condition. Material on exercise, diet and healthy eating with particular relevance to women is already available from my Department's Health Promotion Unit. In addition, we are considering the possibility of developing material specifically on osteoporosis as part of the unit's information dissemination programme for 1991.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Given that it is now known that osteoporosis in women, over middle age, is preventable, either by the administration by regular doses of calcium or, more importantly, by regular doses of hormone replacement therapy — HRT — will the Minister accept that to be an undisputed fact? Given that reality — with need for greater information about HRT, from the administration of which many women would benefit enormously, perhaps involving a saving on the Exchequer in later years — is he aware that there is a dearth of information in relation to this therapy? Would he consider it to be his responsibility to provide such information?
No, I do not accept there is a dearth of information; there is plenty of information around but whether it is reaching the people at whom we would like it targetted is another matter. I have referred to a number of publications by my Department dealing with eating habits in a more general way, which do make recommendations with regard to dietary intake. What we are considering for 1991 is the publication of some information leaflets specifically on osteoporosis. I would agree with Deputy Fennell that it is something that is preventable and on which information should be available, particularly to middle aged and elderly women.
Given that the Minister has accepted that such treatment, whether by way of doses of calcium or HRT, is beneficial — HRT being the more expensive — would the Minister consider making HRT available to women who might go to clinics, who would not be able to attend a private clinic or consultant?
The first point of patient contact with the medical end of the health services is the general practitioner. Indeed, the Irish College of General Practitioners are very concerned that general practitioners would involve themselves more in health promotion and the prevention of illnesses. I might add also that within my Department, I have established a national nutrition committee, chaired by Dr. Emer Shelley, who has quite a record in this area. That committee will be advising me, as Minister, and my Department on how we should ensure that everybody — not merely in regard to osteoporosis — has better information available to them and once available to encourage people to use it.
