§ Mr. StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made towards the eradication of premature deaths caused by coronary heart disease in Scotland. [24906]
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 22 May 1995]: Deaths from coronary heart disease among people under 65 have fallen from 94 per 100,000 population in 1986 to 72 per 100,000 in 1993, the latest year for which figures are available. The target set in "Scotland's Health—A Challenge To Us All", the policy statement issued in 1992, is to reduce mortality in this age group by 40 per cent, between 1990 and 2000. This will require a further decrease to 46 deaths per 100,000 population. A wide range of initiatives is in train to facilitate progress towards the target by addressing the risk factors associated with coronary heart disease and encouraging the life-style changes which can help prevent it.