Mary White (Fianna Fail)

In researching my document, A new approach to Aging and Ageism, much to my horror I discovered that the life expectancy of Irish people was not as high as for many of our OECD colleagues, such as those in France, Spain or Germany. I shall focus on the need for a proper health promotion campaign for older people in Ireland. An adequate health care service is good. If we can prolong people's lives and give them a healthier lifestyle that is as critical as a good health service.

In my document I recommend that the Government devise and launch a long-term campaign aimed at raising awareness of health issues among older people. The Government should take a more proactive role in the promotion of health for older people. Despite recent improvements, alcohol and tobacco consumption among those over the age of 65 in Ireland remains high and above the European average. Many older people, particularly older men, do not attend for regular health check-ups. That could be the reason men do not live as long as women.

Research by the National Council on Aging and Older People shows that over 20% of older people have not had a health check-up for three years. In addition the same research has reported that 33% of people aged 50 and over do not consume the recommended daily servings of dairy, fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. In 2002, cancers accounted for 36% of deaths among those aged 64 to 75. Many of these cancers could have been prevented through healthier living and a healthier lifestyle and could have been treated had they been identified earlier. Tobacco and alcohol consumption, poor diet and lack of awareness about health issues can have a detrimental effect on the population as a whole, yet health promotion campaigns place an undue focus on the young. More attention must be focused on older people by Government health promotion schemes and sports activities funds and a continuous campaign to improve the health of older people must begin immediately.

I have travelled all over the country from counties Donegal to Kerry and Carlow speaking about my document.