Premature deaths from suicide and road traffic accidents have a greater impact on the male population of the State than deaths from cancer, according to new research.
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A study by the Society of Actuaries in Ireland into mortality rates found accidental or violent death accounted for almost 1 in 4 of all male life years lost in 1996.
The study also found that Irish mortality from breast cancer was significantly higher than other developed countries and that cancer accounts for 1 in 3 of all female life years lost.
In the case of males the three big killers were found to be circulatory diseases, accidental/violent death and cancer. In the case of females, cancer and circulatory diseases were the two main causes.
Chairman of the Society of Actuaries, Mr Tony Jeffery said: "The high impact of suicide and road traffic accidents is not so obvious using more traditional mortality measures".
Mr Jeffery said: "Surprisingly, the number of years lost because of accidental or violent deaths are greater than the years lost because of all cancer deaths".
The report also noted that Ireland has one of the worst young male suicide rates among developed countries, second only to Finland. It found Ireland’s suicide rate has increased sharply in the last 10 years.
The study analysed trends in Irish mortality over the last 40 years and found that although "our experience compares poorly to other developed countries, it has nonetheless improved dramatically over the period."
