§ 34. Fiona MactaggartTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what he plans to do to prevent early deaths from heart disease in the areas where this is most common. [82650]
§ Ms BlearsThe Government place a strong emphasis on reducing inequalities in health. The recently published planning and priorities framework set key targets for the national health service over the next three years. This document requires the NHS to 'contribute to a national reduction in death rates from coronary heart disease (CHD) of at least 25 per cent, in people under 75 by 2005 compared to 1995–97, targeting the 20 per cent. of areas with the highest rates of CHD'.
A further target, which requires the establishment of practice-based registers to cover the majority of patients at high risk of CHD, will focus the actions of primary care on the prevention of CHD.
750WThe national service framework for CHD sets standards for the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of CHD. This requires primary care trusts (PCTs) to set in place policies to reduce smoking, to promote healthy eating, to promote physical activity and to reduce overweight and obesity. It is through focusing on these areas that PCTS in areas with high rates of CHD will make progress in reducing premature deaths from CHD.