More than half cannot afford cost of their healthcare – report

Michael Bolton

More than half of Irish adults cannot afford their personal healthcare needs, a new study has revealed.

The My Healthcare, My Future report revealed insights into public perceptions of healthcare in the State.

Just over half (51 per cent) of the population said they currently have health insurance, down 4 per cent since 2021.

One fifth experienced delays in accessing specialist appointments when referred by their GP, while 50 per cent said they felt they have access to adequate mental health supports.

Around 79 per cent of respondents felt medicines in Ireland are more expensive than other EU countries.

The pharmacist has overtaken the GP as the first port of call for health issues, with 44 per cent of the population saying they visit their pharmacist before they visit their GP.

When it comes to research, 61 per cent of the general population said that they would research their symptoms or the symptoms of family members online first before they visit their pharmacist or GP.

Just under one third (29 per cent) of adults used YouTube in the past 12 months for health information, while 37 per cent of people used TikTok for information on their health.

The research revealed surprising insights into the dynamic between the wider population and those who fit within the GenZ age category between 18 and 25.

When it came to physical health, 79 per cent of adults said it was of importance, compared to 66 per cent of adults between 18 and 25.

Over 80 per cent of adults said mental health was of importance, compared to 70 per cent of GenZ, while 79 per cent of adults said emotional health was of importance, compared to 66 per cent of GenZ.

"To help meet the needs of younger adults, we need to understand how to address their expectations, be inclusive, communicate and be prepared to listen to feedback," Teen-Turn co-founder Joanne Dolan said

"For example, using terminology and labels such as ‘GenZ’ can alienate younger people; in my experience of working with young adults, they are much more fluid about how they identify themselves.

"To help meet these perceptions, I believe more can be done to reduce the cost barriers and bring healthcare directly to younger people so that the solution is on their doorstep."