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Health improves but size rising Health improves but size rising
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The health of Northern Ireland people has improved over the last decade but obesity has also risen, the assembly's Public Accounts Committee has said.The health of Northern Ireland people has improved over the last decade but obesity has also risen, the assembly's Public Accounts Committee has said.
Its latest report said the health service had made great strides in lowering the number of deaths from cancer, heart disease and strokes.Its latest report said the health service had made great strides in lowering the number of deaths from cancer, heart disease and strokes.
However, it noted that diabetes was on the rise and that it cost the health service more than £1m per day.However, it noted that diabetes was on the rise and that it cost the health service more than £1m per day.
PAC chairman Paul Maskey said there was still work to be done.PAC chairman Paul Maskey said there was still work to be done.
"Of particular concern to the committee were the inequalities in terms of life expectancy and quality of life between people living in the most and least deprived areas," he said."Of particular concern to the committee were the inequalities in terms of life expectancy and quality of life between people living in the most and least deprived areas," he said.
The Report on the Performance of the Health Service in Northern Ireland examines the way health outcomes have improved over the past 10 to 20 years.The Report on the Performance of the Health Service in Northern Ireland examines the way health outcomes have improved over the past 10 to 20 years.
It said that between 2000 and 2006, there has been a 28% drop in deaths from circulatory disease, including coronary heart disease.It said that between 2000 and 2006, there has been a 28% drop in deaths from circulatory disease, including coronary heart disease.
But is said that a steep rise in the number of people who are overweight or obese has the potential to counter the gains made in relation to heart disease and cancer, and to increase the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes.But is said that a steep rise in the number of people who are overweight or obese has the potential to counter the gains made in relation to heart disease and cancer, and to increase the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes.
While the Department of Health reported that it was addressing the rise in diabetes by developing education and self-management programmes, Diabetes UK Northern Ireland reported that only 15 to 20% of patients were receiving such education. While the Department of Health reported that it was addressing the rise in diabetes by developing education and self-management programmes, Diabetes UK Northern Ireland reported that only 15% to 20% of patients were receiving such education.
On the issue of deprivation on life expectancy, the report said that for every person from a more affluent background who is diagnosed with lung cancer, nearly three people in more deprived areas are diagnosed while the highest death rates from coronary heart disease are in those electoral wards with the highest levels of deprivation. On the issue of deprivation on life expectancy, the report said that for every person from a more affluent background who is diagnosed with lung cancer, nearly three people in more deprived areas are diagnosed.
Figures given to the Committee also found that show that the proportion of the local population with mental health problems was 25% higher than England and suicide rates had increased by 61% between 1998 and 2007, with 282 people taking their own lives in 2008. The highest death rates from coronary heart disease are in those electoral wards with the highest levels of deprivation.
Figures given to the Committee also show that the proportion of the local population with mental health problems was 25% higher than England and suicide rates had increased by 61% between 1998 and 2007, with 282 people taking their own lives in 2008.
Welcoming the publication of the report, the NI health minister said the department "will give full consideration to the committee's recommendations".
The minister, Michael McGimpsey, said: "This is in line with my continuing drive to secure the best quality and value health and social care services for the public, within available resources."