Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 24 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 6

Written Answers. - Population Health Status.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

14 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Health when the last detailed study was undertaken of the health status of the population in each health board area which could form the basis of setting positive health targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

A wide range of statistics are collected at both national and health board level which serve as measures of the health status of the population. These include, for example, statistics on life expectancy, death rates from specific causes, infant mortality rates, outcome of child health examinations, incidence of infectious diseases, the uptake of specific schemes and services. These statistics are used in the planning of services and also provide an input to the development of strategies for health promotion.

Information on the health status of a regional population is vital in the development of health services and especially in planning, implementing and evaluating health promotion strategies. The factors which influence health are complex. They involve a broad range of issues including demographic features of a population, e.g. age, sex, employment, education, housing and environmental factors. The development of measures of health status at regional level is currently taking place involving the Mid-Western Health Board and my Department's health promotion unit. This pilot project will develop an approach to measuring health status for specific use in planning and implementing health promotion strategies aimed at maintaining and improving health. The feasibility of replicating this approach will also form part of this pilot project.

Important survey work is also a common feature of the Kilkenny health project, a community pilot project for cardiovascular disease prevention. A baseline survey of factors associated with coronary heart disease — e.g. cholesterol levels, hypertension, smoking prevalence, weight and exercise levels — was conducted in 1985 and subsequently in a reference county. A major health promotion project in Kilkenny commenced following this baseline survey which aimed at reducing the risk factors of coronary heart disease among the population in Kilkenny. A follow up independent survey in Kilkenny and in the reference county is nearing completion which will measure changes in behaviour and in factors associated with coronary heart disease over the five year pilot period. The Kilkenny health project is largely funded by the health promotion unit.