Map Brings Focus to Numbers

New Map Highlights Cancer Death Rate Inequalities:

People living in some poorer parts of the Dublin region, are twice as likely to die from cancer as people in more affluent areas, according to new analysis released by the Irish Cancer Society.
Drawing on analysis from the Centre for Health Geoinformatics at NUI Maynooth, the society says that people in poorer areas also have greater difficulty accessing healthcare.

A new map of cancer death rates compiled by Dr Jan Rigby, and funded by the Health Research Board, shows there are major health gaps within areas of Dublin.

For example, the map shows that cancer death rates varied from 381 per 100,000 in Blakestown North-West to 128 per 100,000 in Castleknock South-East.
    

Dublin city Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown South Dublin Fingal Meath Kildare Wicklow

Kathleen O'Meara, Head of Advocacy and Communications at the Irish Cancer Society said "Cancer affects all parts of Irish society but some people are more at risk than others and where you live has a huge influence on this.

“Unfortunately, the more deprived the area, the higher the risk of a person getting and dying from cancer. As well as this, often the poorest in society, have the greatest difficulties in accessing healthcare.

“In some deprived Dublin areas, there are not enough primary care resources - for instance in North Dublin there is one GP for every 2,500 people.

“Nationally this figure is 1:1600. In addition there have been increased A & E charges, long stay charges and increased prescription charges. By 2013 it has meant that every person in Ireland was on average paying about €100 in additional costs for accessing care and prescribed drugs.”

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