IRISH men and women born in Britain are less healthy and dying younger than the rest of the population, according to a report in the British Medical Journal published yesterday.
Although the study attributes some of this to lifestyle factors such as drinking and smoking, the report also suggests that the ease of migration to Britain could have encouraged the less healthy to move.
The study reveals that second generation Irish men and women, particularly those with both parents born in Ireland, have a "significantly" high mortality rate between the ages of 15 and 64 for men, and 15 to 59 for women, when compared with the rate for the rest of the population.
The early death rate among first generation Irish immigrants exceeds British men by 30 per cent and British women by 20 per cent, with the majority dying from cancer and heart problems.
"Mortality of second generation Irish men and women was higher than that of all men and all women, and for most major causes of death. While socioeconomic factors remain important, cultural and lifestyle factors are likely to contribute to this adverse mortality.
"With over two million second generation Irish and growing numbers of a third generation, their health needs special consideration," the report concluded.
Mr John Haskey, a statistician from the Group Office for National Statistics, described the report's findings as "important" and suggested that the lifestyle of Irish immigrants should be further explored.
The persistence of early mortality into the second generation of Irish parentage suggested that important national health indicators lasted beyond initial immigration, he added.
Sister Joan Kane, the centre manager of Haringey Irish Centre, said Irish organisations in Britain were so concerned at the health of immigrants that a special conference was being planned for the autumn to study the problems.
In her experience, many young Irish people who had recently moved to Britain were unhealthy because they could not afford medical treatment in Ireland.
Sister Kane added that poverty, poor housing and employment on building sites also caused health problems.
"These factors are all stressful and an indication of stress is when people smoke and drink too much. Unemployment and poverty can lead to depression and we see an awful lot of Irish people who are mentally ill," she said.