The document discusses the health of Irish people living in Britain. It finds significantly high mortality rates from suicide, cancer, accidents and respiratory disease among first, second and third generation Irish. Their health status is worse than Irish people living in Ireland and white English people. It has not improved in recent decades. The document calls for government agencies and public health bodies to formally recognize the Irish population, include an Irish category in health monitoring data, improve cultural competency training, and increase engagement with Irish community groups to help address these longstanding health inequalities.

1. The Health of the Irish in
Britain
Conor McGinn
Health Development Officer
Federation of Irish Societies

2. The Irish in Britain
• The Federation of Irish Societies (FIS) is the national
organisation for the Irish in Britain. It promotes the interests of
Irish people through community care, welfare advice, health
promotion, education, culture and arts, youth and sports
activities and information provision. FIS has over 100 affiliate
organisations across the country working for the Irish
community
• In the 2001 Census, approximately 691,000 people in the UK
identified themselves within the White Irish category, thus
comprising 1% of the population (Census 2001)
• 624, 115 persons or 1.3% of the population in England
identified as ethnically Irish. Of these, 66% were born in the
Republic of Ireland, 9% were born in Northern Ireland and 23%
were born in England, this last figure reflecting numbers of
those whose parents/grandparents were born in Ireland

3. The Irish in Britain
• The age profile of the Irish community is an older one
with significantly higher numbers in the post pension and
pre-pension age group
• Fewer married couple-households than White British
households
• 38% of Irish people live in one person households

4. The Health of the
Irish in Britain
• Significantly high rates of all-causes mortality
among first, second and third generation Irish
• The health of the Irish in England is worse than
the Irish in Ireland, as well as worse than White
English people
• There has been no improvement in Irish
mortality rates in the last couple of decades

5. The Health of the
Irish in Britain
• Exceptionally high deaths mortality rates for suicides,
cancers, accidents and respiratory disease, raised rates
for coronary heart disease and stroke
• Significant incidence and mortality for many cancers
affecting both first and second generation Irish,
particularly lung cancer
• Exceptionally high prevalence of permanent
sickness/disability, limiting long-term illness, perception
of health being ‘not good’ and highest percentage of
special needs households in London

6. The Health of the
Irish in Britain
• High mental health admissions, attempted suicides,
average use of community mental health services and
high rates of GP consulting for psychological problems
• Highest rates of heavy smoking and disproportionate use
of drug and alcohol treatment services, given wider
population figures
• Irish Travellers’ health status is comparatively even
poorer, although less comprehensive data on Travellers
were available. Morbidity data show excessively poor
health status both physically and psychologically

7. Context of the Health
of the Irish in Britain
• Research conducted for the Department of Health (DH)
notes that the BME agenda in Britain has generally
excluded Irish people
• The Irish are an ‘invisible’ minority aggregated into the
overall ‘White’ category despite provisions in the Race
Relations Act (2000) and DH/NHS guidelines
• Despite overwhelming evidence of significant Irish health
disadvantage there has been little attempt of the part of
policymakers and practitioners to consider ways of
reducing these inequalities

8. Taking Steps to
Address Irish Health Inequalities
• DH should include an Irish category in all monitoring of
health and social care commissioned services and
partner agencies
• PCT and social care staff should trained in cultural
sensitivity and have knowledge of the health
vulnerabilities of the local Irish population
• PCTs and local authorities should support Irish
community health capacity building
• The Irish community should be represented on key local
strategic planning and development bodies

9. Taking Steps to
Address Irish Health Inequalities
• PCTs should facilitate more effective engagement of the
local Irish population in local health matters
• Statutory agencies should acknowledge the Irish
population in key documents affecting race, ethnicity and
health
• Increased partnership working and networking between
the Irish community, BME groups and statutory sector
• DH should support campaigns about Irish health and use
social marketing to address the key health issues

10. Actions for
improvement
• Recognition
• Access
• Engagement