More than 90% of childrens’ general health ‘good or very good’ – survey

The general health of more than 90% of children in Ireland aged two to 17 years was considered to be good or very good last year, new research shows.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published the Irish Health Survey – Children’s Health for 2024.

The research also found that the general dental health of over four in five children aged two to 17 years was considered to be “good or very good”, while 3.2% were considered to have “bad or very bad” general dental health.

Approximately 5.6% of children aged two to 17 years were admitted to a hospital as an in-patient and 14.7% were admitted as a day-case patient in the past 12 months.

More than half of children aged two to 17 years had taken prescription medicine, non-prescription medicine or vitamins in the two weeks prior to interview.

The survey also shows that prescription medicine was taken by 18.7% of children aged two to 17 years and non-prescription medicine or vitamins were taken by 41.9% of children.

Almost half of children aged two to 17 years needed a medical examination or treatment, excluding dental, for a health problem in the past 12 months.

More than 91% of children aged two to eight years were more likely to eat fruits and vegetables at least once a day, compared with children aged 13 to 17 years at 84.3%.

Participation in leisure activities such as swimming, playing an instrument, or youth organisations was highest for those aged nine to 12 years at 92.3% and lowest for those aged two to eight years at 80.8%.

The percentage of children aged two to 17 years who were considered to be in “good or very good” health was highest in HSE south west at 95.2% and lowest in HSE Dublin and midlands at 90.8%.

The percentage of children aged two to 17 years with a long-standing illness or health problem was higher for boys at 19.9% than girls at 16.8%.

A child’s long-standing illness or health problem refers to illnesses or health problems which have lasted, or are expected to last, for six months or more.

The main characteristics of a long-standing illness or chronic condition is that it is permanent and may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care.

Health problems cover different physical, emotional, behavioural, and mental dimensions of health.

Besides diseases and disorders, they can also include pain, ill-health caused by accidents and injuries, and congenital conditions.

Sarah Crilly, statistician in the Health and Social Cohesion Division said: “The statistics contained in this release are selected from a module on children’s health that was included in the Irish Health Survey, which was conducted in 2024.

“The guardians of children aged between two to 17 years were asked questions, via an online questionnaire, about their child’s health status, access to health care, and their health determinants such as nutrition and recreational activities.”