HEALTHY AGEING: The quality of life amongst older people in Ireland is heavily dependent on their social and economic status, according to a study of their health and lifestyles released this week.
The study of 1,500 Irish people over 55 found that alcohol consumption in the age group was on the increase, with almost one-third of men and 15 per cent of women drinking alcohol above the recommended limits.
Older People in Ireland: A Profile of Health Status, Lifestyle and Socio-economic Factors also warns that obesity has a major impact on the over-55s in Ireland, with an increase of 9 per cent in older adults between 1998 and 2002, compared with 1994.
The report found that almost half of older people had hearing problems and recommends the Department of Health plan more services for the hearing impaired.
However, the report also showed that health and quality of life for the over-55s had improved in general over the period, with rates of smoking on the decline.
MEDAL HAUL: Team Ireland returned home last weekend with a haul of 73 medals from the European Transplant and Dialysis Games in Slovenia. This more than doubles the medal tally from the previous games and puts Ireland in third place, behind Hungary and Greece, in the overall medal table of 36 nations, writes Robin O'Brien Lynch.
Ireland even managed to garner an extra medal after runner Tony Gartland joined the Slovenian volleyball team, when they were short a man, and added a silver to the gold he won in the 5km road run. Marie Mellon, who took two silvers and two bronzes, said the games provided a great opportunity for transplant and dialysis patients to talk to others about their illness. "It's wonderful to be in a group where you don't have to explain anything and you can just be comfortable. Everyone was very positive, the group really bonded well."
The games raise money for organ donation and to promote a healthy lifestyle among transplant and dialysis patients.
DATA DEBATES: The issues of patient consent and data collection promise to spark debate at the third Population Health Summer School, which opens in Cork on Thursday.
Speakers at the two-day summer school will cover topics under the theme of 'Information for Health: ethical and practical issues in public health practice' at the Boole Lecture Theatre Two, University College Cork.
Speakers include the governor of Mountjoy Prison, Mr John Lonergan; director of the National Disease Surveillance Centre, Dr Darina O'Flanagan; the Data Protection Commissioner, Mr Joe Meade, and Ms Maev-Ann Wren, journalist and author of Unhealthy State.
ACCESS RULES: The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has just published a set of draft access rules to determine the levels of sub-titles, sign language and audio description required of broadcasters. This is the first step in a public consultation process due to run for the next 10 weeks. There are currently no existing rules in Ireland relating to this area of broadcasting.
Closing date for receipt of submissions is Thursday, November 10th and the rules are expected to be implemented early in 2005.
The Draft Access Rules can be viewed and online submissions made on the Commission's website, www.bci.ie.
FOX RUN: The Irish Cancer Society has appealed for people to take part in a local Terry Fox Run in aid of cancer research on Sunday, October 17th.
Cancer is the largest single cause of death in Ireland - 21,000 people will develop the disease this year.
Last year, Terry Fox Runs around Ireland raised €277,583 and this year the target is €300,000. The runs are taking place in 80 locations across the country, but the organisers say people can also walk, cycle, skateboard or push a bed. For more information CallSave: 1850 60 60 60 or visit www.cancer.ie
On the move
Sinead Whooley has been appointed senior account director with health public relations consultancy, First Medical Communications. Previously with Edelman PR's health division, Sinead has 10 years' experience in health and consumer PR, managing campaigns for healthcare products and companies as well as for OTC and prescription medicines. She is a graduate of UCC and DIT and is a member of the National Council of the PRII.