Health officials promise to target heart disease

LEADING Irish professional and public health organisations, policy makers and politicians have pledged to tackle Ireland’s biggest killer — cardiovascular disease (CVD).

It is the main cause of death in Europe and in Ireland, accounting for half of all deaths.

A total of 25 organisations, led by the Department of Health and Children and the Irish Heart Foundation, as well as six MEPs yesterday pledged their commitment to the European Health Charter — a new EU-wide policy document on CVD.