National asthma strategy demanded

THE GOVERNMENT has been called upon to develop a national strategy to address and manage the increasing number of people suffering from asthma in the State.

Some 470,000 people in Ireland suffer from the condition and the State has the fourth highest rate of asthma in the world.

Speaking yesterday, on World Asthma Day, Sinn Féin health spokesman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said it was clear that a detailed government-led asthma strategy is required.

An Asthma Society of Ireland survey found that less than a quarter of Irish people recognise key symptoms of asthma such as wheezing and regular coughing.

However, more than 90 per cent of people surveyed could successfully identify environmental factors which lead to problems.

The society warned that people need to be more aware of the exacerbating factors such as temperature changes, humidity and pollen.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times