Strokes

A stroke is caused by an interruption of the blood supply to a localised area of the brain.

Each year more than 130,000 people in England and Wales suffer a stroke. In addition, there are over 67,000 deaths resulting from strokes in the UK each year.

(http://www.stroke.org.uk/media_centre/facts_and_figures/index.html)

Respiratory Disease

Over 27,000 people died from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in 2004 alone. COPD covers a wide range of respiratory diseases including Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema and Bronchiectasis.

(http://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/BurdenofLungDisease2.html)

Type II Diabetes

Type II Diabetes, or age onset diabetes is classified as a degenerative disease because it develops over time as a result of poor eating habits.

In 2003 1.7 million people in the UK were diagnosed as suffering with diabetes, although it is suspected that many more remained undiagnosed. Out of the 1.7 million approximately 90% had type II diabetes.

Diabetes is currently the leading cause of kidney failure, limb amputation, blindness and visual impairment and dramatically increases the risk of cardiovascular disease development.

(http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/diabetes2.html)