Over-70s visited doctor five times in 2007

PEOPLE OVER 70 visited their family doctor almost twice as much as most adults in 2007, figures released by the Central Statistics Office have revealed.

Over two-thirds of adults visited their GP at least once in 2007, with an average of 2.8 visits per year. However, people over 70 saw their doctor an average of 5.2 times per year, health statistics for the third quarter of 2007 show.

Introduction of the entitlement to all over-70s of a medical card in July 2001 is reflected in the figures, which reveal that one-third of over-70s had both a medical card and private health insurance in 2007, compared to just one- tenth of over-70s in 2001.

Some 95 per cent of people over 70 had a medical card in 2007, compared to 79 per cent in 2001.

Hospital usage was highest among over-70s, with 43 per cent attending hospital at least once a year. However, 18- to 24-year-olds were the largest age group to attend accident and emergency departments, at 13 per cent.

There was a significant rise in the number of non-Irish nationals without medical coverage.

The highest level of private health insurance is among the middle-aged, with more than 50 per cent of 35- to 64-year-olds covered by private insurance plans. High blood pressure was the most common condition among adults, affecting 10 per cent. Chronic back pain and high cholesterol were the next most common.