Future of Chronic Disease in Ireland – Health Economic Perspectives
The recent OECD Health at a Glance report states that more than one-third of adults are living with a longstanding illness or health problems including cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes. Chronic diseases are challenging for both the individuals and their families, the health and social care sector, and wider society.
Chronic diseases have impact on both earlier death and poorer quality of life, and they require a large part of the available healthcare resources. Chronic diseases also have wider negative impact on individuals’ ability to take an active part in employment and social life.
A large proportion of chronic diseases and their negative health impacts may be preventable, e.g. by lifestyle changes related to tobacco, alcohol, diet and physical activity, and adherence to a range of available preventative strategies.
Epidemiological data suggest that the burden of chronic disease is unequally distributed by social groups. For many chronic diseases, the prevalence is higher in socially disadvantaged groups, and these groups may also experience worse consequences because they are less likely to seek effective interventions, and may experience poorer outcomes from such interventions.
This webinar series will focus on the future for people with chronic diseases. It will explore historic changes in the prevalence of chronic diseases, including the growth in the number of those with more than one chronic condition. We will explore the health and economic consequences of chronic diseases, with a view to how these might be addressed, as well as future challenges. We will discuss the health consequences for patients and their families, as well as the demand for healthcare services.
Furthermore, we will explore the challenges of addressing and measuring patient outcomes, including the impact on life expectancy, quality of life, and the cost of caring for people with chronic diseases. Invited experts will offer their perspective on the use of health economic approaches to support better outcomes for patients, the health service and society.
The webinar series is supported by Janssen Sciences Ireland, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Ireland and EY Ireland.
The webinars are moderated by Dr Ronan Glynn, Health Sector Lead, EY Ireland.
Social inequalities have a profound impact on chronic disease and population health outcomes by creating disparities in access to resources, healthcare and opportunities to lead healthy lives. These inequalities frequently lead to unequal burdens of illness, suffering and premature mortality among disadvantaged populations.
The social determinants of health play a significant role in shaping chronic disease outcomes. Addressing these inequalities requires multidimensional and multi-sectoral efforts that go beyond the healthcare system.
In this fourth webinar in the Future of Chronic Disease in Ireland: Health Economics Perspectives series, expert speakers considered a range of perspectives from improving access to healthcare, empowering communities, and inequalities in mortality in Ireland.
Our speakers were:
- Dr Sheelah Connolly, Senior Research Officer, Economic and Social Research Institute
- Helen Gaynor, Head of Community Support Services, Irish Heart Foundation
- Professor Susan Smith, Professor of General Practice, Trinity College Dublin
The webinar was moderated by Dr Ronan Glynn, Health Sector Lead, EY Ireland.
Useful resources
This webinar explored how policy interventions can impact chronic disease prevention. Speakers discussed the GP chronic disease contract, cardiovascular disease and the commercial determinants of health, and obesity.
The speakers were:
- Dr Orlaith O’Reilly, Clinical Lead for the Integrated Care Programme for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease, HSE
- Kathryn Reilly, Policy and Legislative Affairs Manager, Irish Heart Foundation
- Professor Donal O’Shea, Consultant Endocrinologist, St Vincent’s University Hospital; National Clinical Lead for Obesity, HSE
The webinar was moderated by Dr Ronan Glynn, Health Sector Lead, EY Ireland.
In this webinar, our speakers discussed the definition of chronic disease epidemiologically, considered the impact of policy on health outcomes relating to chronic disease, and – importantly – concluded with an patient perspective.
The speakers were:
- Prof. Patricia Kearney, Professor of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, UCC
- Prof. Edward W Gregg, Head of School of Population Health, RCSI
- Fiona Bardon, young stroke survivor and patient advocate
The webinar was moderated by Dr Ronan Glynn, Health Sector Lead, EY Ireland and former Deputy CMO.