I’m not sure what left me more surprised from this story in today’s Guardian on the health of Irish and Scots living in England and Wales: the fact that us expats appear to be dropping like flies, or the fact that we’re now being described as an "ethnic minority group". What sets us apart from the majority - congenitally high cholesterol?

"Irish and Scottish
migrants to England and Wales are more likely to die early from a host
of causes than those from other ethnic minority groups, public health
watchdogs say today.

Mortality
rates are worse than those in communities more recognised for poor
health such as Bangladeshis and Pakistanis, according to a report
likely to prompt new questions about ‘hidden’ public health problems."

Suicide rates are also 53-75% higher among our jolly little community. Also - a curious theory proposed and dismissed in one paragraph:

"Laurence Gruer, director
of public health science at NHS Scotland, said: "We are constantly
asking ourselves why Scotland’s health particularly is so bad … one
idea put forward is that Scots who emigrate may be the healthy ones,
leaving behind a residue of the weak and infirm. This finding may
contradict that."

No reasons are offered for the findings - but I’m sure it’ll make a great topic of conversation tonight when the boys and I meet up over a fried pizza supper and a few jars.

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