A major national study led by the University of Galway has revealed dramatic shifts in the health and wellbeing of Irish schoolchildren over the past 25 years, including sharp reductions in smoking and alcohol use, but also a troubling rise in mental health issues and school-related stress.
The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC ) Trends Report 1998–2022, launched on Tuesday by Minister of State for Public Health Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, outlines how teenage smoking has fallen from 22.6 per cent in 1998 to just 4.7 per cent in 2022.
Alcohol and cannabis use have also declined significantly, with those reporting drunkenness dropping from 33 per cent to 17.8 per cent, and cannabis use halving to 6.5 per cent.
Compiled by the Health Promotion Research Centre at the University of Galway, the report spans data from over 70,000 children aged 10 to 17. Lead researcher Louise Lunney and Co-Principal Investigators Professors Saoirse Nic Gabhainn and Colette Kelly have tracked major shifts in diet, sexual behaviour, physical activity and mental health, comparing results across social class, age and gender.
But while physical health indicators have improved, including a jump in seatbelt usage and daily tooth brushing, the findings also paint a bleak picture of emotional wellbeing.
Societal pressures
Nearly half (46.3 per cent ) of children now report feeling low weekly, double the rate from 1998, while 47.8 per cent say they feel under pressure from schoolwork, up from 32.9 per cent.
Professor Nic Gabhainn warned of the growing pressures facing Irish children, saying, "While many indicators have improved over time, the pressures that children feel from school and society are increasing.
"Now is the time for our society to support teachers and parents in schools and communities to protect and promote youth wellbeing."
The study also found a decline in condom use among sexually active teens, down to 55.2 per cent in 2022 from 78 per cent in 2010, prompting concerns over sexual health awareness.
Minister O’Connor praised the University of Galway team for their long-term commitment to the study.
"HBSC is a key, internationally comparable study that provides us with vital information regarding the health of our children, highlighting both positive trends, such as the reductions in tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use since 1998, but also the more concerning ones, such as many of the indicators relating to mental health and the pressures of schoolwork.
"As the report shows, we have done some great work over the past 25 years; however, there is always more to do.”
The HBSC study is carried out every four years in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and 45 participating countries. The full report is available at universityofgalway.ie/hbsc
