2024 Healthy Ireland Survey Results Announced
The Healthy Ireland Survey 2024, just published by the Department of Health, and conducted by Ipsos B&A, has found that there were more GP visits in the last twelve months than in 2023.
Almost 7,400 people over the age of 15 were surveyed on a range of themes including general health, smoking, vaping and alcohol consumption, mental health, suicide awareness, GP service utilisation, nutrition, physical activity and caring responsibilities. This year, for the first time, the report evaluated the impact of Long COVID on the population.
Highlights include:
- 81% report their general health as ‘good’ or ‘very good’
- 86% rate their quality of life as good or very good, while the number reporting a probable mental health problem has reduced
- Two in every five people (41%) have a long-term health condition confirmed by a medical professional, broadly unchanged since 2023 (40%).
- High blood pressure (8%), arthritis (6%), and asthma and diabetes (both 5%) are the most prevalent long-term health conditions confirmed by a medical diagnosis.
- GP service utilisation rates have increased.
While the trends in the 2024 Survey are broadly positive, it also highlighted areas of concern including a rise in the proportion of people binge drinking, a decrease in the numbers meeting physical activity guidelines and a reduction in the numbers eating the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables daily.
The 2024 Survey found that 17% of the population are current smokers, broadly in line with the 18% recorded in 2023, and continuing the downward trend from the 23% reported in 2015.
While smoking rates remain highest among the 25 to 34 age group at 20%, they are now significantly below the 32% recorded in 2015. The proportion of the population using e-cigarettes remains unchanged since last year at 8%.
Alcohol consumption, within the previous 12 months, has risen from 70% to 73% but remains lower than the 75% reported in 2018. There has also been an increase in the numbers who are considered binge drinkers (drinking six or more standard drinks on a typical drinking occasion), rising from 24% in 2023 to 28%.
Just 41% percent of people report meeting the national guidelines for being moderately active for at least 150 minutes a week, a reduction from the 46% recorded in 2019. However, walking isn’t included in that calculation and more than 60% of people report walking for 10 minutes or more, at least five days a week.