§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the number of British people who die each year from infectious diseases; and what are the Government's plans to reduce that number.
§ Mr. FreemanThe provisional figure for the number of people who died from infectious diseases in 1988 is 2,733.
The Government are pursuing a number of measures to reduce this rate of mortality and, in particular, are taking action to ensure that immunisation uptake rates increase.
§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the number of British people who die each year from food poisoning; and what are the Government's plans to reduce that number.
§ Mr. FreemanThe provisional estimate for the number of deaths in 1988 associated with food poisoning is 62. The Government's commitment to a comprehensive range of measures on food safety was made again in the Opposition day debate on 21 June at columns 342–90.
§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the number of British people who die each year from sexually related diseases; and what are the Government's plans to reduce that number.
§ Mr. FreemanThe provisional estimate of the number of people who died from sexually related diseases (excluding AIDS) in 1988 is 32.
To improve the treatment and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases the Government have made available extra resources for the upgrading of genito-urinary clinics.
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§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the number of British people who die each year from smoking-related diseases; and what are the Government's plans to reduce that number.
§ Mr. MellorIt is estimated that at least 110,000 people died from smoking-related diseases in Great Britain in 1987. The Government's health education programme is designed to inform people about the risks of smoking and to encourage them to give up the habit. The system of voluntary agreements with the tobacco industry provides controls over the advertising and promotion of cigarettes and has resulted in a reduction of average cigarette tar yields from 21mg in 1972 to 13mg now. In January of this year the Prime Minister announced a major new teenage smoking campaign, aimed specifically at teenagers, which will cost over £2 million per year for the next three years.
§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the number of British people who die each year from alcohol-related diseases; and what are the Government's plans to reduce that number.
§ Mr. FreemanThe provisional figure for deaths where the underlying cause was alcohol dependence, non-dependent abuse of alcohol, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis and toxic effect of alcohol for 1988 in England, Wales and Scotland is 3,933.
Government action to tackle health and social alcohol-related harm is co-ordinated by the ministerial group on alcohol misuse. Action taken by the group is set out in its first annual report, copies of which are available in the Library.
§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the number of British people who die each year from heart diseases; and what are the Government's plans to reduce that number.
§ Mr. FreemanThe latest provisional figure for 1988 for the number of people who died from heart disease in Great Britain is 202,000.
The risk of heart disease can be lessened by changes in lifestyle. Together with the Health Education Authority, the Department is supporting and developing the "Look After Your Heart" campaign as an ongoing initiative to combat the high level of heart disease in England. "Look After Your Heart" has two main aims—to increase awareness about the risk of heart disease and to encourage people to avoid it; and to provide practical help with regard to a healthy diet, stopping smoking, taking more exercise and making other changes to the way they live.
Much other work is going on, particularly to discourage smoking—which is a key factor in causing heart disease—and excessive consumption of alcohol. Under changes to general practitioners' terms of service, they will be required to offer patients regular check-ups and personal advice on health issues, including those directly related to heart disease.
§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the number of British people who die each year from drugs and from drug-related diseases; and what are the Government's plans to reduce that number.
§ Mr. FreemanThe provisional figure for deaths where the underlying cause was drug dependence and150W non-dependent abuse of drugs is 221 for 1988 in England, Wales and Scotland. The Government are actively pursuing a wide-ranging strategy to reduce the supply of and the demand for drugs.
§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the number of British people who die each year from cancer; and what are the Government's plans to reduce that number.
§ Mr. FreemanCancer was registered as the primary cause of death of 160,661 people in the United Kingdom in 1987. The incidence of cancer increases with age, and the death rate tends to reflect the increasing age of the population. The goal of the Europe Against Cancer programme, which the Government are supporting, is to reduce the number of cancer deaths in the Community projected for the year 2000 by 15 per cent. This is being taken forward through programmes of public and professional information on prevention and detection, the evaluation and implementation of screening techniques, and through the co-ordination of research into the causes and treatment of cancer. It is also important to acknowledge the progress made by the Health Service and voluntary organisations in lengthening the survival and improving the care and support of people who eventually die from cancer. The Government will continue to encourage them to achieve the highest possible standards in this field.