30/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - On the occasion of the "World Heart Day", the European Commissioner responsible for health and consumer protection, David Byrne, recalled that cardiovascular diseases are still the main cause of death in the EU. According to Eurostat, in 1998, 45% of deaths among women and 38% of deaths among men were caused by circulatory diseases. Stressing that the EU is currently setting in place a new public health programme for the period 2003-2009, Mr Bryne pointed out that, for cardio-vascular diseases, the programme would aim at improving data collection and information on prevention. He also said he would support initiatives on factors allowing the risk of exposure to these diseases to be reduced, namely the quality of food, physical exercise and giving up tobacco.