Healthy Ireland survey results

An overview of the nation’s first national health survey.

Last year the Department of Health published the Healthy Ireland Survey 2015. Conducted by Ipsos MRBI, the survey will be conducted annually until 2017. It is the first time in eight years that a national survey of the nation’s health has been published. The survey utilised an interviewer-administered questionnaire with interviews conducted on a face-to-face basis. In total, 7,500 people aged 15 or over were interviewed and here, eolas highlights some of the survey’s key findings.

General Health

85% of the population report their general health as being good or very good.

43% of the population have suffered from a health issue in the past 12 months.

The average number of GP consultations per year is 4.3

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Smoking   

23% of the population are smokers.

19% daily and 4% occasionally.

 

Alcohol

39% of drinkers binge drink.

24% binge drink on a weekly basis

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Physical Activity

68% of the population are not getting enough exercise

Average of 5.3 hours spent sitting each weekday

 

Diet

26% of the population eat five portions of fruit and vegetables daily.

65% of the population consume snack foods or sugar-sweetened drinks daily.

 

Social

47% of the people aged 15 and over participate in a social group or club.

 

Weight management

23% of the population are obese.

 

 Dementia

25% of people have a partner or close family member with dementia.