The Department of Health and Children yesterday, (1st December, 2009) published Health in Ireland: Key Trends 2009. This is the second edition of this report (previous report was published in 2007) which presents, in booklet format, a range of data on significant trends in health and health care over the past decade.

Health in Ireland: Key Trends 2009 covers population and health status as well as trends in service provision. It is a quick and handy reference guide to trends in health and health care over the past decade. Each section of the booklet has a brief introduction summarising key statistics.

In presenting a summary of key trends, the overall picture which emerges is one of population growth and population ageing, of major improvements in health status and life expectancy, and of increasing health service investment and provision. Threats to health gain are also evident particularly in the area of lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption and ... Read more »