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Long-Standing Medical Conditions

Long-Standing Medical Conditions

After the age of 65 years, males were almost twice as likely than females to report having cancer in the past 12 months

CSO statistical release, , 11am

The Irish Health Survey included a question on a selection of self-reported long-standing diseases or chronic medical conditions experienced in the past 12 months. One of the conditions listed was 'depression'.

Across all age groups, females were more likely than males to have experienced depression in the past 12 months, with the gap most pronounced in the younger age groups.

Figure 4.1 Percentage of people who had depression in the past 12 months by age group and sex, 2025
Table 4.1 Percentage of people who had depression in the past 12 months by age, sex and HSE health region, 2025

Another one of the listed conditions was 'cancer'. The likelihood of having had cancer, in the 12 months before responding, was higher among the older age groups. In the younger age groups, females were more likely to have had cancer in the past 12 months, but after the age of 65 years, males were almost twice as likely to have had it.

Figure 4.2 Percentage of people who had cancer in the past 12 months by age group and sex, 2025
Table 4.2 Percentage of people who had cancer in the past 12 months by age, sex and HSE health region, 2025