Hospitalized Psychiatric Morbidity in Ireland: A Suggested Approach

Abstract

Ireland has the highest rate of hospitalized mental illness on record. This is borne out both by the World Health Organization figures for treated mental illness (W.H.O., 1961), by international comparisons of point prevalence rates (Arentsen and Strdmgren, 1959) and by consideration of first admission rates (Hammer and Lcacock, 1961). The Irish national figures for each of these measures were respectively 7·12, 10·81 and 1·45 per 1,000 population in 1959. The rates exhibit a distinct geographical pattern within Ireland: they are highest on the coastal areas furthest from Dublin, while in the Dublin area they are as low as those of most western European countries. All three measures have risen over time, and the intercounty variation has also increased since 1900. In 1959 the coefficients of variation for both first admission and hospitalization rates were equal to 25·1 per cent.