A major conference with the aim of reaching agreement on a strategy for the promotion of cardiovascular health across Europe begins in Cork tonight.
The conference, entitled 'Promoting Heart Health, A European Consensus' will be opened this evening by the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Micheál Martin.
Cardiovascular disease kills more people in Ireland and across Europe than any other disease. Minister Martin said it was hoped that leadership shown by Ireland in its approach to the disease would "facilitate the European Union in reaching consensus on promoting heart health."
Other speakers at the conference include Mr David Byrne, EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, Dr Marc Danzonm Regional Director, European Regional Office of the World Health Organisation.
Approaches to the promotion of awareness of the disease in the population will be discussed as will the promotion of heart health in clinical practice.
The conference will be attended by delegations and guests from the 15 member and 10 accession states and will last for two days.
It is hoped that the conclusions of the conference will be endorsed as EU law at the EU Health Council meeting in June 2004.