Men’s health in Ireland – Facts and Figures

According to the report ‘Women and Men in Ireland 2010’ published last February by the Central Statistical Office, Ireland along with Malta and Sweden had the most gender-balanced populations in the EU in 2009 with 99 men per 100 women.

Key fact and figures from the report include:

Life expectancy

Life expectancy for men in Ireland was 76.8 years in 2006, nearly 5 years less than the value for women of 81.6 years.
Life expectancy for men in Ireland is slightly greater than the 2007 EU average of 76.1, while for women it is just over half a year less than the 2007 EU average.
The difference in life expectancy between men and women has narrowed over the past 20 years by about one year.

Men face specific challenges

Men are more likely to die at a younger age than women. This reflects higher deaths rates for males due to suicide and motor vehicle accidents.

In 2009, the death rate in Ireland was higher for males than for females in all age groups. The most pronounced difference was in the 15-24 age group where the male death rate was more than three times that of the female rate.
The death rate for the 65-74 age group decreased by over a third for both men and women over the period 1999-2009 (Figure 1).
The mortality rate due to accidents for men (33 per 100,000) was more than twice that of women in 2009 (Figure 2).
The rate of male deaths due to suicide (19 per 100,000) was nearly four times the female rate (Figure 2).

Acute Hospitalisation

Men were less likely to be hospitalised, with 294 discharges per 1,000 men in 2009 compared to 339 hospital discharges per 1,000 women.
For men, the most common single condition diagnosed was dialysis at 15.9% of discharges (Figure 3). Nearly 17% of conditions diagnosed for women related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Psychiatric Hospitalisation

Men are more likely to be admitted to psychiatric hospitals for schizophrenia and alcoholic disorders while women are more likely to be admitted for depression (Figure 4).

In 2008 the rate of admission to psychiatric units for men was 467.4 per 100,000, which was lower than the rate for women at 471.1 per 100,000 population.
For both men and women the highest cause of admission was depressive disorders.
The rate of admission of men to psychiatric units for non-alcohol related drug disorders was nearly three times the rate for women in 2008.
The male rate of admission for schizophrenia was nearly two-thirds higher than the female rate while the female rate of admission for depressive disorders was over one third higher than the male rate.

ALL FIGURES: see PDF (348 KB)

Figure 1: Ireland – Death rates for persons aged 65-74, 1999-2009

Figure 2: Ireland – Mortality by cause of death, 2009

Figure 3: Ireland – Acute hospital discharges by principal diagnosis and sex, 2009

Figure 4: Ireland – Admissions to psychiatric hospitals and units, 2008

Men’s Health Week: Let’s Talk About It

Men’s health week will run from Monday 13th until Sunday 19th June 2011. In Ireland, the focus is on: “Promoting and Supporting the Health and Well-Being of Men and Boys during Challenging Times”.

The role of men in the world has changed dramatically, with new challenges having a direct impact upon the health and well-being of men and boys.

Depression in men is becoming more prevalent (or at least acknowledged) and the male suicide rate is still extremely high.
Males are often not aware of where and how to find help and support.
There is increasing recognition that males can be victims of domestic abuse and violence.

Getting young men to recognise problems, seek help and engage with services is critical. Therefore, the key message for this week will be ‘let’s talk about it’.

Reference: Central Statistics Office. Women and Men in Ireland 2010. February 2011.

Men’s health in Ireland – Facts and Figures

Men’s Health Week: Let’s Talk About It

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Men’s health in Ireland – Facts and Figures

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