Majority are healthy but critical of services

IRISH PEOPLE see themselves as among the healthiest in the world despite the economic downturn, according to a major new international survey.

We also report far lower levels of chronic illness and are also most positive about our doctors, though we share the general gloom in western countries about the state of the health services, according to the Global Health Survey 2011.

One-third of Irish people rated their health as excellent, almost three times the rate in the UK and well above the international average of 14 per cent.

The survey was carried out in 28 countries by International Research Institutes, an association of market research agencies. The Irish research was conducted by Behaviour Attitudes.

In all, 84 per cent of Irish respondents said their health was excellent or good, with the highest levels recorded among younger people and the better off. The findings echo many previous studies, which found that Irish people tend to be more positive about their health and quality of life than other nationalities.

Ireland’s younger population may be contributing to our high levels of perceived health, but Larry Ryan, managing director of Behaviour Attitudes, said the level of Irish self-perception of health still defies logical assessment. “Some might find it strange that our figures are higher than countries such as Germany or Canada, which are perceived to have better health services.”

Ireland topped the list for perceived good health when a similar international survey was carried out in 2005, showing that the economic crisis seems to have had little impact on people’s positivity about their health.

One possible reason for our optimism can be found in the figures on chronic illnesses. Just 5 per cent of Irish people say they suffer from high blood pressure, compared to 26 per cent in Germany. Three per cent of us have high cholesterol, against 10 per cent in Germany, and our figures for heart conditions, diabetes and asthma are also far lower. This may be a result of lower screening rates as much as better health.

But while Irish people are positive about their own health, they are deeply critical of the health system. Just 2 per cent of respondents described the healthcare system as excellent, compared to 33 per cent who say it is heading into a state of crisis and 39 per cent who say it is already in crisis.

However, these figures are only slightly worse than the average due to widespread pessimism, particularly in western Europe, about the future of health services.

Irish people tend to share the broad global view that health system problems derive more from poor management than from underfunding; 64 per cent of Irish people blame inefficient management for these problems compared to 22 per cent who identify a lack of resources as the culprit.

Two-thirds of Irish people say individuals’ healthcare costs should be funded by the State. Just 18 per cent say people should fund their own expenses.

We are also the biggest fans of the medical profession, the survey appears to show, with 94 per cent saying they are satisfied with their family doctor.

This sharp contrast between happiness with doctors and extreme unhappiness with the health system is common to many western countries. “The contrast may suggest a degree of short-sightedness or a simplistic analysis of heroes and villains in healthcare,” Mr Ryan remarked.

As a nation, he said, we lack confidence in our health system, only approaching the global average in our view that quality services will always be available.