Irish have poor health record compared with European neighbours

IRISH people have poorer health than most of their European counterparts, one of Ireland’s leading experts on public health has claimed.

The bad health profile is the same both north and south of the Border, according to Dr Cecily Kelleher, professor of public health medicine and epidemiology in UCD.

Our biggest problems lie in cardiovascular disease and some cancers, says Dr Kelleher, in an address to be delivered at the second Population Health Summer School, which opens at UCC on Thursday.