John Gormley
Ceist:185 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has statistics for the amount of illness which is stress related; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23171/02]
Written Answers. - Stress Related Illnesses.
The proportion of illness which is either directly or indirectly due to stress is not known. National statistics record, for example, detailed diagnosis data for episodes of hospitalisation but it is not possible to ascertain the extent to which stress may have been a contributory factor in the onset for each particular illness. Defining types of stress and levels of stress is complex and determining a causal relationship between stress and medical conditions poses further difficulties. Nevertheless, it is clear that high levels of stress have an adverse affect on health.
A number of studies at European Union level have provided measures of self-assessed levels of stress. In 1999, the Eurobarometer survey reported a figure of 39.1% for the percentage of people regularly feeling stressed. The corresponding figure for Ireland was 36.4%. The EUROSTAT labour force survey for 1998-99 included findings on work related health problems which indicated 1.2% of those surveyed reporting stress, anxiety or depression related problems at work. Of these, 38% reported absences from work of two weeks or more in the preceding 12 months due to these problems.
The potential for stress to be a contributory factor in cardiovascular conditions is recognised, particularly in conjunction with other pre-disposing factors such as smoking, obesity and excess alcohol intake. In the implementation of the cardiovascular health strategy, funds have been allocated to develop or expand cardiac rehabilitation services in hospitals and to establish the first phase of the secondary prevention project in general practice. These services help patients and their families to cope with the illness as well as reducing the risk of a future event. As set out in the health strategy, the heart health task force is carrying out a mid-term review of the implementation of the cardiovascular health strategy which will include a review of the available data on mor bidity and mortality from coronary heart disease. The review will be completed by the end of the year.