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Liz LynneLiberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands 1999-2012 |
ASTHMA MUST BE SEEN AS PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN
May 1, 2007 12:00 AM
On world Asthma day, Liz Lynne MEP, Vice President of the European Parliament's Employment and Social affairs Committee has urged for more to be done to improve treatment of asthma as well as better training for health practitioners and more research into the causes of this debilitating and often fatal condition.
Every hour at least one person dies of asthma in Western Europe, and more than 6 million Europeans with asthma live in fear that their next attack could kill them.
Speaking today from Brussels Liz said;
"With 32 million asthma sufferers in Europe, Governments and healthcare systems must make asthma research and treatment a higher priority. Many of the symptoms associated with asthma can be lessened if proper treatment is given. In crude terms, the cost to productivity in Europe because of poor asthma control is estimated at €9.8bn a year."
"We must do a better job at the European level to improve the condition of asthma sufferers through the exchange of best practice, improved specialist training and more research into the causes of this condition."
"The prevalence of a large number of asthma sufferers is another reason why member states should look at their policies regarding smoking in public places, I am glad England will have a ban on smoking in public places from the 1st July. Asthma sufferers should not have to fear for their lives because of a smoke filled restaurant or pub. This report confirms that they do live in fear, and that must change."
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