People in Ireland are generally optimistic about their health despite the fact the country has some of the highest rates of cancer and heart disease in Europe, a study has found.
A survey of more than 1,000 Irish nationals and 120 non-Irish nationals found the average person rates their health as 7.9 out of 10.
According to that authors of the 2007 Pfizer Health Index, which was unveiled at the Royal College of Physicians Ireland in Dublin today, the non-Irish nationals questioned were "even more upbeat" about their health than the Irish, with the average score being 8.8 out of ten.
This may reflect the age group of the non-Irish nationals who took part, as some 91 per cent were aged between 18 and 44, the authors acknowledge.
They say the continued optimism on health "is at odds with statistics that show Ireland has some of the highest rates of conditions [such as] cancer and heart disease in Europe".
Thirty-six per cent of Irish nationals reported a serious medical condition, but just 15 per cent of non-Irish nationals reported such a condition. The figure breaks down further into 15 per cent for non-Irish nationals from Europe and 17 per cent for non-Irish nationals from Asia and Africa.
"This is a huge challenge for our society," said Maria Lordan Dunphy, national health promotion development manager at the Health Service Executive. "Ireland faces a growing set of problems in the coming years if emphasis is not placed on health promotion and prevention."