Austria is one of the most unhealthy countries

Last Thursday, the OECD released its new report entitled "Health at a Glance" on health and the health situation, even for European countries. Austria is overrepresented in mental illness. The Vienna Medical Association on Monday highlighted the top spot in alcohol abuse, smoking and poor nutrition.

"For the President of the Chamber of Physicians, Thomas Szekeres, the results of the study are a disturbing indication that health policy in Austria continues to give too little emphasis on how to Healthy living and prevention, and sometimes even thwarted – key word: withdrawal of a general ban on smoking in the restaurant business, "the statement said. a broadcast from the Vienna Medical Association on Monday. Szekeres called for an alliance of all health actors across Austria to bring Austria back at least to the average EU values, particularly with regard to the smoking and drinking alcohol.

Smokers well above the EU average

For adults, Austria, with 25% of regular smokers, is well above the EU average (20%). This makes Austria the leader of the countries of Western and Central Europe. Sweden has the lowest smoking rate at 11%, the highest in Bulgaria at 28%, followed by Greece at 27% and Hungary at 26%. The largest decreases in the number of smokers are recorded in Denmark, Ireland and Germany.

Although women still smoke less than men, the gap between men and women is one of the lowest in Austria: 26% of men and 22% of women take cigarettes. In Romania, 33% of men smoke, but only 8% of women in Portugal, 24% of smokers, but only 10% of smokers. 28% of Austrians aged 15 to 16 smoke. Here, Austria has been overtaken by Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovakia. Smoking abstinence is relatively high among adolescents in Sweden and Ireland, with 13% each and in Belgium 15%. Belgium and Ireland were also one of the first countries in the EU to enforce smoking bans.

Dramatic numbers

For Szekeres, it is therefore incomprehensible that, despite the dramatic figures, the Austrian government continues to smoke in the premises of Austria. Here, knowingly, the health of Austrians is in danger, especially those working in the restaurant sector. Szekeres: "Our position as a taillight and ashtray of Europe will be cemented for the next few years."

As far as alcohol consumption is concerned, Austria remains one of the leading countries in Europe, with an average of 11.4 liters of alcohol per year. In the "country of wine" France, it is 11.7 liters for comparison. The lowest amount of alcohol is consumed – unlike all clichés – in Greece with seven liters and in Italy with 7.1 liters.

At least with regard to drug use, Austria was in the upper third positive for teenagers, according to a statement from the Vienna Medical Association: 6% of young people in the 39; EU aged 15 to 16 years have used illegal drugs – cannabis has not been included – in Austria this is "only" five percent, eleven percent in Bulgaria, seven percent in France and Italy.

In the EU average, twelve percent of children aged seven to eight are overweight (EU-23, five states without indication). Just nine percent, Austria is just below the EU average. Obesity is more pronounced in boys than in girls. In Austria, 13% of boys are obese, but only 6.2% of girls.

14% feel too big

For adults, the situation is more dramatic. In the EU average, 16% of the population feel to be too fat or at risk of becoming adrift, compared to 14% in Austria. The healthiest and least overweight people are in Romania at 9% and in Italy at 10%. In general, the poorer and less educated people are, the more overweight they are. As a result, 20% of people with low education are overweight in Europe (Austria: 21%, Germany 22%).

NEOS health spokesman Gerald Loacker responded to the publication in the report Health Indicators of Austria: "No matter unhealthy diet, alcohol abuse or the number of smokers: Austria is in all of these areas in the sad summit.The inaction of the federal government's health policy The cynical figures, yes, they are endangering human lives. "

Loacker strongly criticized the withdrawal of the previously planned smoking ban in the catering sector, also approved by the ÖVP: "In comparison with other EU countries, the Austria has an above-average smoking rate, both for the general population and for young people in particular.The most effective measures, the general ban on smoking in the sector of restoration. "Tschick's policy gave the government priority over evidence-based health policy."