Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:170 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of deaths from heart disease in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27296/99]
Written Answers. - Cardiovascular Diseases.
The data requested by the Deputy as supplied by the Central Statistics Office are as follows:
Deaths due to Cardiovascular Diseases 1989-1998
|
Year: |
Number of Deaths |
|
1989 |
15,004 |
|
1990 |
14,311 |
|
1991 |
14,210 |
|
1992 |
13,973 |
|
1993 |
14,529 |
|
1994 |
14,018 |
|
1995 |
14,267 |
|
1996 |
13,949 |
|
1997 |
13,541 |
|
1998 |
13,191 |
The figures quoted for 1996 to 1998 are provisional.
In July of this year the Taoiseach, Deputy Ahern, launched the cardiovascular health strategy group report, Building Healthier Hearts. The report is very comprehensive and its recommendations are far reaching. My Department has set a medium-term objective to bring our levels of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease in line with the EU average at a minimum and a long-term objective of reducing our rates to those of the best performers in the EU.
This strategy document is designed to achieve these goals in a systematic and sustained manner. Department officials are currently drafting an action plan which will identify key recommendations which can be implemented in a planned and structured manner. While it is felt that it will take five years to implement the 211 recommendations, I am pleased to announce that £12 million will be available in the year 2000 for the first year of this programme. This will be used to fund a range of initiatives during the year which will have a full year cost of some £24 million. This additional funding will be the foundation for the implementation process of some of the more immediate recommendations across the health services. Progress will be achieved next year in health promotion, primary care, pre-hospital care, hospital care and in the area of audit and evaluation. The full implementation of the cardiovascular health strategy will cost upwards of £150 million with an investment of £70 million required over the next three years.