'Most favour' universal healthcare

The majority of Irish people are in favour of universal healthcare, even if it means paying more tax a new survey has found.

The Pfizer health index, which tracks the health and wellbeing of the Irish population, found 53 per of Irish people were in favour of universal health care, even if it meant paying 1 per cent more tax.

Unveiled today at the Science Gallery, the results of the nationally representative study, in which almost 1,000 adults were surveyed this summer, found just 15 per cent of people were opposed to paying more tax for such a system.

Now in its sixth year, the study also found Irish people are now less ambitious for their health than during the boom. Figures from the 2005 index

show that 35 per cent of people said they intended to be more active and exercise more. This figure dropped to 25 per cent in 2011. In addition, the number of people who said they had no intention of adopting a healthier lifestyle now stands at 34 per cent, almost two-and-a-half times more people than in 2005.

More people are also smoking, drinking, in particular at home; have felt unwell; or are visiting a doctor than before. In fact, 3 per cent more people surveyed had smoked in the previous week, and 7 per cent more people had drunk alcohol at home when compared to the 2010 survey.

Speaking at the survey launch, former senator and women’s health advocate Dr Mary Henry said: “I am pleased to see the number of women having smear tests is up by 5 per cent this year. However, when it comes to screening for sexually transmitted infections, it seems that an alarming 92 per cent say they have never had STI screening.”