Jackie Kilcullen, an 81-year-old community advocate from Ballina, Co Mayo, expresses concern that many men, especially those of older age and living in remote rural regions, lack the necessary health education. She voiced her concerns at the release of a significant study in Finglas, Dublin, which uncovers low “health literacy” in numerous communities across the country.
The study reveals that the comprehension and application of healthcare information is low among around 40% of the Irish population, a percentage that increases in more deprived and remote regions. The research was undertaken over the previous year by Dublin City University (DCU) under the aegis of the HSE’s Sláintecare healthy communities initiative. Dublin City Council and Mayo County Council also backed the study, which included consultations with over 100 people in their areas.
The Healthy Communities Programme is focusing on 19 areas such as Ballymun/Finglas, northern Cork and western Mayo, offering intensified health services and schemes.
A lack of health literacy can result in difficulties understanding medical pamphlets, interpreting prescription directions, and filling out necessary forms. It may also lead to less support in applying healthy lifestyle advice, and health care access can be delayed, as per the report.
Many, according to DCU’s findings, are turning towards the internet and artificial intelligence for health tips. One participant from Co Mayo stated that creating a weekly healthy menu for his family, despite their differing food preferences and budget constraints, was made possible by this technology. However, a participant from Finglas cautioned about the potential for misinformation, particularly on platforms like TikTok.
Kilcullen emphasized the importance of enhancing resources within communities to foster healthy living and facilitate access to health services.
The lack of local resources in extremely rural regions significantly contributes to the struggle for many people. Specifically, a quarter of the Irish population grapples with the problems of low health literacy.
Isolation, particularly among older males, leads to issues such as not being able to prepare nutritious meals. It’s not only the elder folks, nowadays you’ll observe people opting for pre-cooked food from grocery stores, spending threefold price compared to home-cooked meals. The alternative could be buying raw meat from butchers and preparing a simple dish like stew at home.
The Healthy Communities Health Literacy Report suggests several solutions categorised under ten headings. One of the key proposals is augmenting the resources for community groups, for instance, men’s sheds or youth groups to foster awareness about healthy lifestyle and the importance of timely medical care.
Furthermore, the report recommends initiating projects such as community kitchens and gardens that can involve schools and local groups. Mobile primary care units providing health checks during the evenings targeting women, elderly citizens and children are also among the proposals.