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REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE LAUNCH OF A REPORT BY THE SAFFRON INITIATIVE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE LAUNCH OF A REPORT BY THE SAFFRON INITIATIVE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH DUBLIN CASTLE, 3RD MARCH 199

I am delighted to have been asked to launch this report on behalf of the Saffron Initiative. I would like to say a special word of thanks to its Chairperson, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn for her warm words of welcome.

- The work of the Saffron Initiative in improving information flows and policy-making in relation to the health of women, particularly older women, is of immense importance. It may seem surprising that despite an increasing awareness of health issues, the life expectancy of Irish women, at 78, is still one of the lowest in the European Union. Tragically it is a full twelve years lower again in the case of traveller women. Yet much can and must be done to improve this situation.

- This is particularly important, given that by the year 2011, the number of Irish people aged 65 and over will have risen by almost 26%, with the largest increase in those aged 80 and over. These will be predominantly women, mostly widowed. The choices made now by policy makers, and by women themselves, will have a significant effect on their health and quality of life in later years. Those decisions must be based on sound and accurate information, which makes this report a particularly timely initiative.

- Those involved in the Saffron Initiative recognised the need to establish, in the first instance, the existing level of knowledge, understanding and awareness by women of their lifetime health needs. In order to do so, they commissioned this survey, conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute and compiled and assessed by the Centre of Health Economics at UCD, based on one-to-one interviews with over 1,260 women aged 18 and over throughout the country.

- The results provide some very interesting insights into women’s understanding of conditions that specifically affect them, how they perceive their health needs and which issues are of most concern to them. One of the most pertinent messages is the need for ready access by women to clear and accurate information. This is not a new finding – it is echoed in previous research and consultation with women’s groups. But it shows very clearly that despite recent progress on this front, better health promotion and advice are key elements in supporting women in their own efforts to lead long and healthy lives. This is especially important in the case of younger women whose early lifestyle choices in relation to diet, smoking and exercise can impact significantly on the occurrence of circulatory problems and osteoporosis in later years. But it is equally important in this, the UN Year of Older People, that we recognise that this age group, if given accurate information and support, can also help to prolong the period of healthy ageing and lead a full and active life in later years.

- Responding to these information needs is all the more crucial given that the main causes of death in Irish women – heart and circulatory diseases along with cancer of the breast, lung and colon – are not inevitable. A significant proportion could be prevented or postponed by changes in lifestyle, especially through a reduction in cigarette smoking. Mass media campaigns - such as the recent initiative organised on a co-operative basis by the Department of Health and Children, the Irish Cancer Society and the health boards – are of great value in providing advice and support to people anxious to quit. But not even the most imaginative media campaign can, on its own, provide all of the necessary support. Such initiatives need to be supplemented by a concerted effort by individuals taking real responsibility for their own health and by health professionals, particularly GPs, who are best placed to provide one-to-one support on the ground and who, as identified in this report, are women’s preferred source of advice and information. On this front, the recent initiative to provide training for GPs on Smoking Cessation Interventions has the potential to make a real difference.

- It is particularly interesting to note how women themselves regard the diseases that affect them. The research has identified that women consider breast cancer to be the most serious disease that they risk and also the one most difficult for them to cope with. This will come as no surprise to most women – we all know the frightening psychological as well as physical implications of breast cancer. It is heartening to see that some progress has been made in developing services for cancers specific to women. The National Breast Screening Board was established in September last year and is expected to commence its screening programme later this year. The Western Health Board is establishing a pilot Cervical Screening Programme.

- For many women, sadly, these developments are too little, too late. But women can take some hope from the fact that slowly, but surely, their voices are being listened to, and changes in health care provision for women are underway. A significant driver of this change is the recognition within the formal health care sector that women have specific health needs and concerns. We now have a Women’s Health Council to develop a centre of expertise, provide advice and promote research on women’s health issues. Each of the health boards now has an advisory group on women’s health. Let us hope that these organisations listen carefully to the needs of women as identified in this report, especially in relation to issues such as screening for osteoporosis, training and support for GPs and seminars on topics such as the menopause.

- But the formal health care sector alone does not have all the solutions. This report recognises that collaboration is the key to addressing these issues in the most effective way possible – collaboration with groups in the voluntary sector and with women themselves. This approach should ensure that the views of Irish women guide the development of health policy in the new millennium towards their real needs and concerns.

- This report is a valuable tool in ensuring that this development takes place. I would like to warmly commend everyone involved in its production – the Steering Committee of Saffron and all those who worked on it in the ESRI and UCD. The sponsors of the survey, Wyeth, and particularly its Managing Director, Derek McCormack, also deserve great credit for their invaluable assistance in supporting the project.

- In the past, women all too often neglected their own health in caring for others. Let us hope that in the new millennium, such choices will not be necessary.