The state of our health

Bad habits must be tackled in order to improve the health and well-being of the Irish population.

Obesity and diabetes are the “twin epidemics” affecting the health of Irish people.

The Health Service Executive’s (HSE) ‘Health Status of the Population of Ireland 2008’ report says that high alcohol consumption and smoking rates are having a detrimental effect on the population.

The report calls for joint interdepartmental and inter-agency approaches to improve health.

Another report from the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) suggests that the health services need to enhance their ability to diagnose and manage conditions affecting the less advantaged members of society who are prone to high blood pressure, tobacco addiction and mental illness.

The IPH report called ‘One Island – One Lifestyle?’ looked at the profile of physical and mental health, lifestyles and the experience of health services north and south of the border.

The HSE report advocates a ‘population health’ approach which will focus on the health of the whole population and the role of individuals and communities in helping to achieve the best health outcomes. The HSE says that in order to develop integrated, healthy public policy they must work with the Department of Health and Children, other government departments, statutory agencies, and the community and voluntary sector.

“Harmonisation” of health information systems between the north and the Republic is recommended by the IPH. They also call for health services to focus on the health conditions affecting the less advantaged.

HSE, key findings:

• Life expectancy for both men and women has increased by three years in the past 10 years (Men 76.8 years Women 81.6 years);
• Cancer rates have fallen for men, but they are above EU rates for women;
• Children are now taller and heavier and the increase in weight is disproportionate to the increase in height;
• The prevalence of obesity is higher in Ireland than in most EU countries and many people underestimate their body weight;
• Ireland is the third highest consumer of alcohol in Europe;
• 29 per cent of Irish adults are smokers. The rate is higher in younger people and those in lower social class groups. In adults, males have higher smoking rates but among children, more females smoke;
• Consumption of fats and salts also remains high;
• Over one-fifth of Irish adults report taking no physical activity.

IPH report, key findings:

• Only 16 per cent of women in the Republic had been tested for cervical cancer in the previous 12 months compared to 30 per cent in Northern Ireland. Women in higher social classes in the Republic were significantly more likely to have been tested than women in lower social classes;
• 29 per cent of respondents in the Republic were current smokers compared to 26 per cent in Northern Ireland;
• One-quarter of respondents in both the Republic and the north were classified as ‘obese’ according to their body mass index;
• 10 per cent of respondents in the Republic reported drinking above the recommended upper limit. In the north this figure was 19 per cent.

HSE national director of public health, Dr. Patrick Doorley believes that there is an over emphasis on acute hospital care in Ireland and that 80 per cent of care should be provided outside hospitals.

He says that “many of the determinants of health and social wellbeing are outside the direct control of the health services.” And he suggests that there needs to be “integrated services across the entire continuum of care, crossing organisational boundaries.”

IPH Chief Executive, Jane Wilde was deeply concerned by their report’s findings in relation to health inequalities.

“Throughout the island, poorer people experience an excessive burden of chronic illness, disability and mental illhealth,” she warned.