Written question asked by Helen Clark (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 11 May 2001. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Friday, 11 May 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action he is taking to combat the incidence of stroke in women. - (Holding answer 9 May 2001).

Answer: Mrs. Brinton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to combat the incidence of stroke in women. [160541] Yvette Cooper: [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Key risk factors for stroke include poor diet, smoking, obesity, alcohol misuse and physical inactivity. The Department is taking action to address the incidence of stroke through the National Service Frameworks (NSFs) for Coronary Heart Disease and Older People. Action is being taken forward to: improve access to healthy food through the five-a-day programme and work with industry to reduce salt in food. provide National Health Service smoking cessation services including dedicated services for pregnant smokers who want to give up. address alcohol misuse through the National Strategy to Tackle Alcohol Misuse increase opportunities to exercise through the provision of services locally such as Exercise Referral schemes. The National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease has set a milestone that by April 2001, all NHS bodies, working closely with local authorities, will have agreed and be contributing to delivery of local programmes on smoking, healthy eating, physical activity and overweight and obesity.

Secondary information