Work
15.June 2006 - 00:00
Research into strokes
Strokes are a common occurrence; dealing with the consequences is costly and they are often fatal. At present they are the third commonest cause of death in the EU. In western European countries, for example, they are a considerable burden on society and a serious drain on the finances of healthcare systems: 3 4 % of all healthcare costs arise from stroke cases.
Acute treatment of stroke victims and associated clot-dissolving procedures are available to only a fraction of the patients who require them, and the amount of rehabilitation treatment available varies, as does its quality. It is only in recent years that greater attention has begun to be devoted to preventing and treating strokes, whereas previously the focus was mainly on rehabilitation. Not enough used to be known about strokes, and too little has been invested in research into them in comparison with research into heart disease and diabetes, for instance.
What plans does the Commission have to develop prevention and treatment of strokes and rehabilitation of stroke victims? Bearing in mind the economic and human cost of strokes, does the Commission consider that this field has received sufficient attention, for example in the forthcoming seventh framework programme of research?
Answer given by Mr Potočnik on behalf of the Commission
The Commission has always recognised the importance of stroke research at the EU level since stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the European Union.
In the past fifth framework programme for RTD (1998 2002) eight projects directly related to strokes were funded under various key actions of the ‘Quality of life and management of living resources’ programme. Under the current sixth framework programme (FP6) another six projects are receiving EU support under Thematic Priority I — Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health. This brings the total EU effort for supporting stroke research to over EUR 20 million. Furthermore, it should also be noted that, in complement, research on cerebrovascular diseases will also benefit from the considerable investment in other areas of FP6 such as cardiovascular and brain research.
In further recognition of the importance of stroke research, the Commission hosted, at the end of 2005, a European Stroke Research Workshop in Brussels, gathering top European experts in clinical stroke management and basic stroke research, as well as representatives from the industry. The workshop has permitted the Commission to identify priorities for stroke research at European level that could potentially result in major advances in the areas of stroke prevention, treatment and recovery.
In this context, the activities foreseen under the sections ‘Translating research for human health’ and ‘Optimising the delivery of healthcare’ of the ‘Health’ theme of the specific programme ‘Cooperation’, will allow the continuation of the EU effort in stroke research under the seventh framework programme.
Strokes are a common occurrence; dealing with the consequences is costly and they are often fatal. At present they are the third commonest cause of death in the EU. In western European countries, for example, they are a considerable burden on society and a serious drain on the finances of healthcare systems: 3 4 % of all healthcare costs arise from stroke cases.
Acute treatment of stroke victims and associated clot-dissolving procedures are available to only a fraction of the patients who require them, and the amount of rehabilitation treatment available varies, as does its quality. It is only in recent years that greater attention has begun to be devoted to preventing and treating strokes, whereas previously the focus was mainly on rehabilitation. Not enough used to be known about strokes, and too little has been invested in research into them in comparison with research into heart disease and diabetes, for instance.
What plans does the Commission have to develop prevention and treatment of strokes and rehabilitation of stroke victims? Bearing in mind the economic and human cost of strokes, does the Commission consider that this field has received sufficient attention, for example in the forthcoming seventh framework programme of research?
Answer given by Mr Potočnik on behalf of the Commission
The Commission has always recognised the importance of stroke research at the EU level since stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the European Union.
In the past fifth framework programme for RTD (1998 2002) eight projects directly related to strokes were funded under various key actions of the ‘Quality of life and management of living resources’ programme. Under the current sixth framework programme (FP6) another six projects are receiving EU support under Thematic Priority I — Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health. This brings the total EU effort for supporting stroke research to over EUR 20 million. Furthermore, it should also be noted that, in complement, research on cerebrovascular diseases will also benefit from the considerable investment in other areas of FP6 such as cardiovascular and brain research.
In further recognition of the importance of stroke research, the Commission hosted, at the end of 2005, a European Stroke Research Workshop in Brussels, gathering top European experts in clinical stroke management and basic stroke research, as well as representatives from the industry. The workshop has permitted the Commission to identify priorities for stroke research at European level that could potentially result in major advances in the areas of stroke prevention, treatment and recovery.
In this context, the activities foreseen under the sections ‘Translating research for human health’ and ‘Optimising the delivery of healthcare’ of the ‘Health’ theme of the specific programme ‘Cooperation’, will allow the continuation of the EU effort in stroke research under the seventh framework programme.