Changes in atopy over a quarter of a century, based on cross sectional data at three time periods

tion of the national and global asthma prevention programmes that have led to improved asthma management are thought to be involved in this change 5 ; the impact of other (environmental) factors is more difficult to evaluate.A similar steadily decreasing trend was not found, however, in the percentage of men discharged during service as a result of asthma, which points to a need to re-examine selection and classification criteria for asthmatic men at call-up, as well as to better treatment during service.