James Leonard
Question:73 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Health the studies, if any, he has carried out to ascertain the increase, if any, in the number of asthma sufferers. [3248/96]
Written Answers. - Asthma Statistics.
Limerick East): As asthma is not a notifiable disease under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981, there are no statistics available in the Department as to the number of people with the condition.
The Health Research Board is currently supporting a project which is looking at the epidemiology of a number of conditions, including asthma, in this country. It is expected that the findings of this study will be available next year.
The establishment of the new public health departments in the health boards, with their emphasis on epidemiology, will greatly improve the level of information on all diseases and conditions, including asthma, in each local area.