Working With Diversity in Northern Ireland - for local health and social services staff providing information, practical advice, guidance and examples of best practice on equality and diversity under Section 75 legislation. Working With Diversity in Northern Ireland - for local health and social services staff providing information, practical advice, guidance and examples of best practice on equality and diversity under Section 75 legislation. Working With Diversity in Northern Ireland - for local health and social services staff providing information, practical advice, guidance and examples of best practice on equality and diversity under Section 75 legislation. Working With Diversity in Northern Ireland - for local health and social services staff providing information, practical advice, guidance and examples of best practice on equality and diversity under Section 75 legislation.
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Gender » Introduction

Introduction

Throughout the last century, there were real improvements in health. Although this improvement is welcome, the state of our health remains a matter for concern. Outlined below are some of the main health concerns for men and women.


Coronary heart disease, cancer and respiratory disease continue to be the main causes of death amongst both sexes, accounting for over 65% of all deaths. Many of these deaths occur under 65 years of age and are potentially preventable. 


The differences in men's and women's health are striking particularly in the middle and older age groups - death rates are much higher in men in these age groups than women. The All-Ireland Mortality Data Report found that ''on the island, excess mortality amongst men represents a fundamental inequality in health''. Death rates for men are 54% higher than for women - this male excess in mortality was present both in the North and the South. Mortality rates for the main causes of death were also substantially higher for men than they were for women.

  • Mortality rates for men from circulatory diseases are 61% higher than for women on the island of Ireland.

  • Men have a one in 6 chance and women a one in 8 chance of dying form cancer before the age of 75.

  • Cancer death rates for men are 46% higher than for women on the island of Ireland.

  • Information collected through the 2000/01 Continuous Household Survey indicated that 33% of men and 36% of women had a long-standing illness.

  • Physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) - as important as smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Physical inactivity is now an established risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.

  • 7 out of 10 men and 8 out of 10 women here do not meet the targets for moderate activity. Yet 8 out of 10 men and women who took no ' moderate activity' or ' vigorous' activity regarded themselves as in either good or fair health.

  • 33% of men and 35% of women said they had an injury/disability/medical condition, which limits their physical activity.

  • Young women aged 16-24 are almost twice as likely to be sedentary than men in the same age group.

(Source: Investing for Health. Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety)

Introduction | Men and Boys | Transsexual People | Women and Girls
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