Report: Those living in deprived areas more likely to drink and smoke

Where we live can have a significant bearing on our health, with those in deprived areas more likely to engage in risky behaviours such as binge drinking and smoking, according to a new report.

Healthy Ireland Survey 2018, published today, shows positive health is not evenly distributed throughout the population and that the typical pattern “is one of higher risk health behaviours” in deprived areas. It shows one third living in deprived areas have a long-standing illness compared to under a quarter in affluent areas.