Welcome to this week’s issue of The Week in Medicine – a round-up of all the happenings in the world of Irish medicine
Arthritis survey highlights hidden toll as National Awareness Week begins
New research released to coincide with National Arthritis Week reveals the significant and often overlooked impact arthritis has on people’s lives across Ireland.
The nationwide survey, conducted by Arthritis Ireland in February 2026, gathered responses from more than 1,400 people living with arthritis and related conditions. It provides one of the most up-to-date insights into the realities of diagnosis, treatment, and day-to-day management of the condition in Ireland.
Dr Leslie O’Looney
Among the key findings, respondents who described their health as poor were nearly twice as likely to wait over a year for their first rheumatology appointment. The data also highlights the condition’s broader impact beyond physical symptoms: 70 per cent reported sleep difficulties, while over half said they struggle with their mental health.
Arthritis is also affecting personal relationships, with almost 40 per cent of respondents saying it has strained their romantic lives and 21 per cent reporting difficulties with intimacy. Pain and fatigue remain the most common daily challenges, cited by 59 per cent and 44 per cent respectively, while 56 per cent said they find it difficult to stay active – despite the known benefits of doing so.
The survey underscores the condition’s wider social and economic effects, including reduced participation in work and community life. Many respondents described feeling isolated and exhausted as they balance their condition with work and family responsibilities.
Gráinne O’Leary, Chief Executive of Arthritis Ireland, said the findings challenge common misconceptions. “Arthritis is far more than joint pain—it can be profoundly debilitating and isolating,” she said, calling for earlier diagnosis and stronger supports across healthcare and workplaces.
Claire Kinneavy, who has lived with arthritis for over four decades, said the report reflects a long-term reality. “Pain and fatigue don’t switch off, and over time they shape every aspect of daily life in ways that are often invisible to others,” she said.
Arthritis Ireland is urging greater awareness and policy action to support the more than one in five people in Ireland living with the condition. Or as RFK Jr. might put it, 25 per cent of all people!
***************
Lloyds Online Doctor introduces home delivery for weight-loss treatments
Lloyds Online Doctor has expanded its clinical weight-loss service here (Read GLP-1s) – and have introduced a home delivery option for eligible patients in response to ‘growing demand and pressure on primary care services’.
The service, announced in Dublin on April 16, allows patients who complete an online consultation to have prescribed medication delivered directly to their door within 24 to 48 hours, provided orders are placed before midday on weekdays. Alternatively, prescriptions can still be collected from a pharmacy of the patient’s choice.
The move comes amid what Lloyd’s call a ‘national shortage of GPs’, which has left many practices unable to accept new patients and contributed to delays in accessing prescriptions. Demand for weight-loss treatments continues to rise, with an estimated one million people in Ireland living with a body mass index (BMI) over 30.
At the same time, there are worries about the growing risks linked to unregulated treatments. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) reported a near 3,000 per cent increase in seizures of illegal GLP-1 medications last year.
Lloyds Online Doctor says the expanded service is designed to offer a safe and regulated alternative. Patients undergo a clinician-led online assessment, followed by an independent pharmacy review before medication is dispensed.
Dr Kieran Seyan, Chief Medical Officer, said the initiative aims to improve access while maintaining clinical standards. “At a time when access to primary care can be variable, this provides an additional route for patients to obtain a clinician-reviewed prescription without requiring an in-person appointment,” he said.
The company added that Saturday consultations and six-day delivery options will give patients greater flexibility. The delivery service will also apply to other treatments, including erectile dysfunction, contraception and hair-loss.
The expansion is intended to reduce waiting times while ensuring ‘appropriate medical oversight’ in a rapidly growing area of demand.
You may or may not agree with this but please don’t shoot your humble messenger.
***************
Public backs ban on influencer junk food advertising to children
A strong majority of people in Ireland support banning influencer and celebrity promotion of junk food to children online, according to new research published by the Irish Heart Foundation.
The Ipsos B&A poll found that 79 per cent of respondents favour prohibiting such marketing, amid growing concerns about the scale of children’s exposure to unhealthy food advertising on social media platforms.
The findings follow recent research showing that children in Ireland encounter significant volumes of junk food marketing online, much of it driven by influencers. The ‘Clickbite’ study found that children can see at least 15 such advertisements per hour when online.
Professor Mimi Tatlow Golden, who led the study, said influencer content is particularly impactful. “Teens are flooded with influencer content and engage with it far more than traditional advertising,” she said, describing it as a ‘global juggernaut’.
Health advocates warn that the exposure is contributing to poor dietary habits and rising obesity rates. Irish Heart Foundation Director of Advocacy, Chris Macey, said even minimal exposure can have measurable effects. “Seeing a single junk food ad can add 30 to 50 calories to a child’s daily intake,” he said.
The poll also found that 87 per cent of respondents believe children are exposed to excessive junk food marketing, while 69 per cent think the Government is not doing enough to address the issue. In addition to a ban on influencer endorsements, 88 per cent support measures such as subsidies for healthier foods.
The charity is calling for comprehensive restrictions, including a ban on online junk food marketing to under-18s and a 9pm watershed for television advertising.
Mr Macey said previous voluntary measures had failed. “We now have clear evidence of the scale of the problem,” he said, urging policymakers to prioritise children’s health over commercial interests.
Chris Macey, left, Director of Advocacy and Patient Support at the Irish Heart Foundation and Professor Mimi Tatlow-Golden, at a media briefing where the charity called for Government intervention to confront the explosion of junk food marketing to children online. Photo: Justin Farrelly
***************
OECD warns of rising burden of chronic diseases on health and economy
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are set to place an increasing strain on health systems, economies and societies across developed countries, according to a new report from the OECD.
The analysis projects that cases of chronic conditions—including cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory illness and diabetes—will rise by 31 per cent over the next 25 years due to population ageing alone.
When additional risk factors are considered, the outlook worsens. While smoking rates and air pollution have declined in recent decades, these gains have been offset by rising obesity levels. Since 2010, these combined trends are expected to contribute an additional 230,000 new NCD cases annually across OECD countries by 2050.
The report highlights the wide-ranging impact of these conditions. The four major NCDs account for 44 per cent of premature deaths and are associated with up to a 25 per cent increased risk of mental ill health. Economically, they are linked to lower productivity, reduced wages and increased healthcare costs.
However, the OECD emphasises that much of this burden is preventable. Modelling suggests that eliminating NCDs could reduce health spending by 41 per cent and boost annual GDP by an average of 3.8 per cent between 2026 and 2050.
Targeting key risk factors—particularly obesity—could deliver significant benefits. Addressing a country’s leading risk factor alone could achieve nearly half of the potential gains, while tackling the top three could deliver up to 90 per cent.
The report calls for integrated strategies combining public education, healthier environments and stronger health systems focused on prevention and early intervention.
Policy action, it concludes, will be critical in reducing the long-term health and economic impact of chronic disease.
<
Leave a Reply