6 Feb 2013, 16:06
The Committee on Health and Children will discuss measures to improve lung health when it meets with representatives from the Irish Lung Health Alliance tomorrow, Thursday, 7th February 2013.
Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “The Irish Lung Health Alliance is a group of Irish charities that have joined forces to promote healthy lungs with four simple messages: lung disease can affect anyone, regardless of age, health status and walk of life; symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough and wheeze are not normal and should be checked with your GP; lung disease is treatable – the earlier you treat the better; and keep lungs healthy – don’t smoke and stay active.
“According to the Irish Lung Health Alliance, one in five deaths in Ireland is caused by lung disease. It is the most common reason to visit a GP and the third most common reason for acute hospital admission. Yet the Alliance has stated that early diagnosis of lung disease, which can vastly improve outcomes and quality of life for patients, continues to be a challenge due to poor awareness levels. Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to hear from the Irish Lung Health Alliance about its campaign to promote lung health, highlight the fact that lung disease affects people of all ages, all socio-economic backgrounds and encourage people to improve their lung health through exercise and quitting smoking.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow, Thursday, 7th February, 2013 at 9.30am in Committee Room 2, LH 2000.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
ENDS
Committee Membership:
Deputies
Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael
Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Ciara Conway, Labour Party
Regina Doherty, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael
Seamus Healy, Independent
Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fáil
Eamonn Maloney, Labour Party
Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Denis Naughten, Independent
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Fein
Robert Troy, Fianna Fáil
Senators
Colm Burke, Fine Gael
John Crown, Independent
John Gilroy, Labour Party
Imelda Henry, Fine Gael
Marc Mac Sharry, Fine Fail
Jillian Van Turnhout, Independent