More than three-quarters of people aged over 18 say health ‘good or very good'
The highest number of people who considered their general health to be 'good or very good' were those aged 35 to 44 years, at 81.6 per cent, and the lowest was those aged 75 years and over at 61.9 per cent.
Advertisement
The health survey, carried out by the CSO, found that approximately half of those aged 18 to 24 years of age considered their mental health to be 'good or very good'.
Approximately 18.7 per cent of people aged 18 years and over had been diagnosed with a specific neurodiverse condition, or suspected they were neurodiverse.
Over three-quarters (76%) of people aged 18 years and over considered their general health to be good or very good in 2024
https://t.co/u0n216nYXp
#CSOIreland
#Ireland
#Health
#HSE
#IrishHealthSurvey
@CoruIreland
@HealthyIreland
@HSELive
@HSEQuitTeam
pic.twitter.com/7CEdDnWWPA
— Central Statistics Office Ireland (@CSOIreland)
July 11, 2025
Those aged 75 years and over, at 92 per cent, were almost three times more likely to have used prescription medicines in the two weeks prior to the survey compared to those aged 18 to 24 years of age, at 30.7 per cent.
When asked about vaping, almost a quarter of those aged 18 to 34 years of age said they vaped daily or occasionally.
Advertisement
Almost one in five people aged 18 years and over say they provided care or assistance to one or more people suffering from some age-related problem, chronic health condition, or infirmity, at least once a week.
Regionally, the percentage of people aged 18 years and over who considered their general health to be 'good or very good' was highest for HSE Dublin and South East at 78.5 per cent and lowest for HSE Dublin and Midlands at 72.5 per cent.
Slightly less people aged 18 years and over considered their mental health to be 'good or very good' at 70.7 per cent.
This was lowest for those aged 18 to 24 years of age at 50.8 per cent, and highest for those aged 65 years and over at 83.7 per cent.
Advertisement
Someone may consider themselves to be, or be diagnosed as, neurodiverse if they are autistic, have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), have dyspraxia or other neurodivergent condition, have differences in social preferences, have differences in ways of learning, communicate or perceive the world around themselves differently, or are particularly sensitive to noise or lighting.
Across the broad range of visits to health professionals, women aged 18 years and over were more likely to have visited a health professional than men in the past 12 months.
For GP consultations, 84.7 per cent of women compared to 74.2 per cent of men aged 18 years and over had a consultation in the past 12 months.
Almost 60 per cent of women aged 18 years and over were more likely than men, at 48.3 per cent, to have used prescription medicine in the two weeks prior to completion of the survey.
Advertisement
This excludes contraceptive pills or hormones used solely for contraception.
Those aged 75 years and over were almost three times more likely to have used prescription medicines in comparison with those aged 18 to 24 years of age.
For body mass index (BMI), almost a quarter of people aged 18 years and over were classified as being obese.
Three in 10 of those aged 55 to 64 years were classified as being obese, in comparison to 13.6 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 years of age.
Advertisement
Over four in five people aged 18 years and over drank alcohol in the past 12 months, with 40.6 per cent drinking at least weekly.
The percentage of people aged 18 years and over who drank alcohol at least weekly in the past 12 months was lowest for those aged 18 to 24 years of age (26.7 per cent) and highest for those aged 55 to 64 years (55.9 per cent).
When it comes to smoking and vaping, 10.2 per cent of those aged 18 years and over smoked tobacco products daily, while 7.1 per cent vaped daily.
Those aged 45 to 54 years of age were more likely to smoke daily than any other age group at 13.3 per cent.
Vaping daily (13.6 per cent) or occasionally (10 per cent) was most prevalent for those aged 18 to 34 years.
Sarah Crilly, statistician in the Health and Social Cohesion Division said: 'The statistics contained in this release are selected from a comprehensive survey that was completed in 2024 analysing the health of people in Ireland.
Ireland
Gardaí arrest man after fatal assault of pensioner...
Read More
'People aged 18 years and over were asked more than 100 questions, via an online questionnaire, about their health status, access to health care, and their health determinants such as smoking and alcohol use.
'A valuable aspect of the data is its use to health researchers.
'The Health Research Data Centre can provide this access subject to the necessary procedures.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Could you keep your mobile in another room? Brits reveal how they're overcoming smartphone ‘addiction'
ONE in three adults have tried to end their "addiction" to their phones through a digital detox with methods including keeping it in a different room, setting a digital curfew, and deleting social media apps. A poll of 2,000 adults found 41 per cent look at their mobiles "too much" - with 54 per cent doing so for three hours or more every day. 2 But 19 per cent feel this is an unfulfilling use of time. As a result, 35 per cent have reduced, or are attempting to reduce, screentime or end it completely. Other methods to digitally detox and cut back on phone use include practising "quiet hobbies", with the most popular screen-free activities including reading (41 per cent), walking (35 per cent), socialising with friends (24 per cent) and gardening (21 per cent). Some have even turned to playing board games to fill their time instead. Kellie Wyles from DFS, which commissioned the research, said: "There is certainly more to life than our phones and being more present in the moment is key for improving mental health. 'We live in an era where FOMO is a common part of society, so people are keen to get news and updates as and when they happen – but this can cause them to miss out on valuable downtime.' The study also found 14 per cent of those who feel they spend excessive time on their phone have done so for more than 11 years. But since reducing their screen time, 71 per cent have noticed their mental health improve. Better sleep (47 per cent), feeling more present (45 per cent), and calmer (42 per cent) are some of the benefits Brits have noticed since putting their phone down. While 18 per cent have even found they have made less errors since reducing their screentime. Despite this, 30 per cent admitted they would feel most panicked about losing their phone, over a wallet/purse (23 per cent) and house keys (18 per cent). With worries about banking apps (65 per cent) representing the biggest concern. It also emerged that 46 per cent of Brits feel life was better before smartphones. To tackle their phone addictions, 13 per cent have introduced digital-free zones in their homes, with another 39 per cent claiming they haven't yet but would consider introducing one in the future. Creating a calming environment is also a priority, with over half (54 per cent) opting for comfortable furniture, 35 per cent choosing calming neutral tones, 29 per cent incorporating more houseplants, and 28 per cent enhancing their spaces with mood lighting. Meanwhile, one in four of those polled, via OnePoll, have a dedicated space for "quiet hobbies", with the most common being a reading nook (48 per cent), closely followed by meditation areas (37 per cent) and a table for board games or puzzles (34 per cent). DFS took to the streets of London with presenter Lisa Snowdon who invited Brits to take a seat on her sofa and share how they're switching off from screens. The video interviews revealed a growing trend of people actively taking steps to digitally detox, from leaving their phones in another room to creating digital-free zones in their homes. Echoing the research, Lisa discovered that many are embracing simple, grounding activities like walking, cooking and spending quality time with loved ones - all in a bid to reconnect with the present moment and reduce screen time. Kellie Wyles added: 'Quiet hobbies are what keeps us grounded in the moment and appreciating the simple things in life. 'We can often get carried away with what is going on elsewhere and neglect the beauty of simply taking time out. 'These moments of calm are often best enjoyed in the comfort of our homes so it's worth investing in creating a space that encourages relaxation, creativity and connection.' 2
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Tees, Esk and Wear NHS ADHD assessment wait times of 618 days
Adults are waiting on average 618 days for an ADHD assessment at an NHS figures for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust (TEWV) were released in a response to a Freedom of Information trust said waiting times could vary depending upon a number of factors, including whether individuals had an existing mental health diagnosis, while the local NHS care board said there had been a "major increase" in the demand for ADHD assessments and support services over the last few years.A man from Spennymoor, who wished to remain anonymous, said his wait for assessment had "added to the issues that ADHD already causes". He said: "My relationship has fallen apart, my career is also failing and I'm constantly stressed."After an initial GP phone appointment I was seen quite quickly by a mental health specialist who then put me on the waiting list at TEWV."In the nearly three years since, I have received two phone calls to simply say I was still on the list and they couldn't tell me how much longer I will be waiting."The Freedom of Information request asked how long, on average, an adult undergoing assessment for ADHD by TWEV have been waiting for that assessment on 11 June 2025. 'Eight-year wait' Thea Stein, chief executive of health think tank the Nuffield Trust, said the reasons for the significant increase for ADHD assessments nationally and internationally "remain unclear".She thinks many adults had their symptoms missed as children and now they are presenting themselves for tests."Waiting times for NHS services are increasing across the country with waits of up to four years for children and up to eight years for adults."Often [a diagnosis] can help people 'make sense' of the difficulties they've faced, allow them to find the right type of support, and live better lives overall," she NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board said it recognised that "too many adults in our region are waiting too long".A spokesperson said: "We have seen a major increase in the demand for ADHD assessments and support services over the past few years. "These services require a workforce with specialist skills and knowledge, which will take time to increase in order to meet demand. "This is not just an issue in the North East and North Cumbria, but nationally." Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Essex teen who cannot eat or drink wants to make the most of life
A teenager who has never been able to eat or drink due to a rare condition said she was determined to make the most of life, despite her health from Stanford-le-Hope in Essex, had her bowel removed as a child and is fed via a tube to a major artery near her 14-year-old was also recently diagnosed with osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones, and now uses a wheelchair."I just try and have a positive attitude," she said. "Sometimes it gets me down when I'm in pain, but most of the time I try not to let it bother me." Isla's condition is so rare that it does not have a name. She has infusions into her bloodstream for 18 hours a teenager also has issues with her immune system, liver and kidneys and has contracted sepsis several was attending high school until last year when she got sepsis and has not yet been able to return. "It hasn't been easy. I was doing so well at school, but the sepsis was a major setback, and I haven't been well enough to go back," she said. Isla loves going to music concerts and is looking forward to learning to drive when she turns 16.A recent Tate McRae concert was one of the best nights of her life, she said, even though she ended up crying herself to sleep with back also managed to go on a cruise with her family this year, after a battle to get insurance, but was in excruciating pain with her back throughout it. Her mother, Ashlee, gave up her job as a support worker for adults with learning difficulties when Isla was a baby, so she could care for friend recently created a GoFundMe page, which has seen donations of more than £3,000 towards a specialist wheelchair, instead of her current basic NHS said she was "so grateful" and "overwhelmed" by the said: "I would love Isla to get a bespoke wheelchair, which could mean she can just feel like a normal teenage girl for a bit and give her some independence."Isla doesn't realise how amazing she is. She is exceptionally brave and resilient."I look at her and I just beam with pride. I don't know how someone can go through so much and be so caring and kind and happy." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
