Warnings concerning public health and inappropriate lifestyles are contained in the latest surveys of the behavioural patterns of adults and of school-going young people.
The incidence of obesity has continued to rise in our society because of poor eating habits and inadequate exercise, while alcohol and drug abuse, particularly amongst young people, remains a serious problem. Those living in the Dublin area generally fare worst in terms of regional comparisons. And, as might be expected, people from the lowest socio-economic groups are most likely to experience poor health.
The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, has welcomed the lifestyle surveys published yesterday as road maps for future policy-making. The National Health and Lifestyle Surveys 2003, incorporating a Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition (SLÁN) and Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC), were, he said, an invaluable resource for identifying trends within the population.
The findings of the surveys were not all negative. Since the previous exercises of 1998, young people - with the exception of Dubliners - felt their families had become much better off. Progress was made in reducing tobacco consumption, particularly amongst women. There was a fall in the use of alcohol by young people in the 10-17 age group in five health board areas. And there was a general improvement in the quality of health, with fewer people reporting high stress levels.
Significant differences in the quality of health and of lifestyle have been identified between the regions, between socio-economic groups and between the sexes. The Dublin region has particular problems. Cannabis is used by 16 per cent of young people, compared to 7 per cent in the rest of the State. Alcohol abuse amongst both men and women is highest here. And the use of tobacco is highest amongst low-paid males.
The task of encouraging men to take regular health checks has been made more difficult by Government cutbacks. Overall medical card coverage has fallen by 40 per cent in a decade with the result that men on low incomes are deterred from having check-ups by the cost of seeing a doctor.
While a reduction in medical card entitlements is having a negative effect on the health of low income groups, the biggest concern raised by these surveys has to do with Irish eating habits. The percentage of people who are either overweight or obese has been steadily climbing. That trend presages long-term ill-health for the individuals concerned and costly public health care for the State. The north Dublin area has the highest level of obesity.
But, right across the country, too many people are consuming large amounts of high fat and high salt foods. The health authorities must target innovative educational campaigns at specific groups if this trend is to be reversed.