PNS97 GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES IN IRISH HEALTH STATUS

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Ireland has the highest proportion of self-perceived good or very good health state in Europe and is one of the countries with highest life expectancy. However, the geographical distribution of good health has not been analysed. Therefore, this study aims to investigate geographic differences in self-reported health and mortality across geographical districts in Ireland. National mortality data from 2007 to 2016 and two rounds of census data were available from the Irish Central Statistics Office. The census data include 97.8% of the population in 2011 (n=4.6M) and 96.7% in 2016 (n=4.8M). Self-reported general health was measured in a standardised, single five-level item and obtained by electoral districts, sex and five-year age groups. From 2007 to 2016, life expectancy increased by 1.8 years in women and 2.6 years in men. Additionally, improvements in self-reported health were observed in older age groups from 2011 until 2016. The proportion of women aged ≥65 years in good or very good health increased from 63.6% in 2011 to 67.4% in 2016. Only minor change was seen in men in the same age group (from 63.9% to 64.1%). Across 31 geographical districts, the proportion of fair, bad or very bad self-reported health ranged from 7.8% to 12.8% in 2016. Except one urban outlier, this proportion was highest in seven districts located in the North-West of Ireland, and lowest in eight Western districts. Change over time was only observed in few districts. The geographic variation seen in self-reported health status was similar in the mortality data. Life expectancy improved in Ireland during the past decade, while only little change was seen in self-reported health status. The gaps observed in mortality and health status across geographical districts remained largely constant from 2011 to 2016. More effective measures to reduce these differences are needed.