Irish Health Better But Diabetes Levels High

Mon, 15 Feb 2010
The Department of Health has succeeded in reducing the number of deaths from strokes, cancer and heart disease in Ireland.

However, diabetes is still increasing and it costs the health service £1m plus each day.

Specific concerns include inequalities regarding life expectancy and quality of life of those living in the most deprived and least deprived areas.

The Report on the Performance of the Health Service in Northern Ireland studies the way health outcomes have improved over the past wo decades.

There has been a 28% decline in deaths from circulatory disease, including coronary heart disease, betweeen 2000 and 2006.

There has been a steady increase in those overweight or obese which counters to some extent the gains made with regard to heart disease and cancer, and increases the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes .

The Department of Health reported that it is addressing the increase in diabetes by developing education and self-management programmes, with Diabetes UK Northern Ireland reporting that only 15% to 20% of patients are receiving such education.

With regard to life expectancy, the report stated that for each person from a more wealthy background who is diagnosed with lung cancer, nearly three people in more deprived areas are diagnosed with lung cancer.

The highest death rates due to coronary heart disease are in those electoral wards with the highest levels of deprivation.

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