Excessive drinking is becoming a greater threat to general health in Northern Ireland, but smoking less so, the province’s second ever health and social wellbeing survey reveals. There has been a 2 per cent increase among men in drinking above recommended levels, and a 4 per cent rise in women, compared with the previous survey conducted in 1997. The latest survey was carried out two years ago, but the analysis has only just been completed.

The overall picture is of improved health, but it is still much poorer than in the rest of the UK and Ireland. There was a 3 per cent rise in self-assessment but only 54 per cent of respondents rated their health generally good – a long way behind the Irish Republic at 88 per cent, Wales at 80 per cent, Scotland at 77 per cent and England at 76 per cent. There was also a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease in Northern Ireland than in the Irish Republic, Wales or Scotland – no comparable survey has been conducted in England.

One of the factors associated with improved general health was the increase in the number of homes fitted with central heating.

A slight fall was recorded in the proportion of people suffering from disability or long-standing illness, despite other research suggesting that this has now become the most significant cause for people of working age not being in paid work and suffering poverty. Age, a history of smoking, alcohol use, manual work, lower social class and poor incomes were all associated with disability and long-term illness.

Parents are increasingly turning to outside help with parenting problems, though it is not obvious if this is because problems are worsening, or whether awareness of the importance of parenting is growing. Requests for support almost doubled in the two surveys, jumping from 23 to 39 per cent. Young parents and those with many children were most likely to report problems – the biggest cause for concern was children’s health.

The highest neighbourhood risks were lack of facilities for children (79 per cent), leisure (64 per cent), transport (40 per cent) and excessive traffic (39 per cent). Respondents reporting poor mental health were more likely to live in areas of ongoing sectarian conflict. The rate of deteriorating mental health is about one-third higher in Northern Ireland than in England or Scotland.