§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people die each year from asthma in the United Kingdom; and what action he plans to take to help reduce this number.
§ Mr. DorrellThe table gives the number of deaths in the United Kingdom with an underlying cause of asthma for the years 1986 to 1990. The greater use of self-management protocols agreed between patient and doctor, and the availability of peak flow meters, which give advance warning of an impending asthma attack, on GP prescription, should help to reduce the numbers of deaths.
Number of deaths in the United Kingdom with an underlying cause of asthma—all persons, all ages1 Year Number of deaths 1986 2,206 1987 2,107 1988 2,213 1989 2,191 1990 2,055 1 Source: OPCS ICD Code 493