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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 6

Written Answers. - Life Expectancy.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

222 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the life expectancy for females and males in each of the member states of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25546/01]

In examining life expectancy rates for males and females, it is important to recognise that health status and mortality rates are influenced by several factors. These include people's natural endowment; the physical and emotional nurturing they receive, the lifestyle they adopt, the degree to which the health services and the wider environment support and complement their attempts to prevent disease and to improve their health as well as the access they have to quality health and personal social services in times of need. A high proportion of mortality and morbidity rates in Ireland are caused by chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and cancer. A range of measures are in place to improve health status and mortality rates. These include strategies on cancer, cardiovascular health and health promotion.

My Department is currently developing a national health strategy which will be completed shortly. The new national health strategy will build on the current strategy, "Shaping a Healthier Future (1994)" and will provide a blue-print for the strategic development of the health services over the next seven to ten years. All of these strategies together with the Government's programme of investment will contribute to the improvement in life expectancy rates in this country.

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