§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the trend in the incidence of asthma in children. [61857]
§ Jacqui SmithThe reasons for the increase in the prevalence of asthma among children (and adults) particularly over the past 30 years are largely unknown and are likely to be due to a number of different factors including an over-sensitivity to substances that irritate the airways, and deterioration in air quality
Due to the rise in the prevalence of asthma and the fact that the causes remain unknown, the Government have and continue to sponsor research in this area. Research is continuing both on asthma in general and on possible links between outdoor and indoor air pollution and asthma. The Medical Research Council always welcomes high quality applications from the scientific community for support into any aspect of biomedical research and these are judged in open competition with other demands on funding. The Department's spend on directly commissioned research projects on asthma since 1997 is an estimated £7.24 million.
The national service framework (NSF) for children will be setting standards to improve the health and healthcare of children and young people. Asthma will be considered in depth from prevention through to an acute attack within the work on the NSF.