Obesity rates in the Isle of Man

Summary

A request for statistics on obesity and diabetes prevalence, drug prescription costs, and economic impact in the Isle of Man was refused because the Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the information.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested data on obesity and diabetes rates.
• Some information may be held by The Cabinet Office (Public Health) or Manx Care.
• The Department was redesigned on 01 April 2021 following Sir Jonathan Michael's Independent Review.
• Manx Care's Integrated Medicines Optimisation Group (IMOG) is responsible for medicines management decisions.
• The requester was advised to re-submit the request to the appropriate authorities.

Data Disclosed

• 4262717
• 2024-11-19
• 2024-12-12
• 01 April 2021
• 16-60

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)

Original Request

How many adults and children in the Isle of Man are living with obesity. Please express the result in percentages and numbers? Is the prevalence of both diabetes and obesity rising in the Island? What is the percentage of those between 16-60 with type 2 diabetes who are overweight or obese? How many drugs used in treating diabetes were prescribed in the Island in the last recorded year? What was the cost to the Island of the drugs? What percentage was the cost to the total spend on all prescription items? What is the cost to the Isle of Man economy of obesity?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Officer: Paul Richardson Freedom of Information Team First Floor Belgravia House Circular Road Douglas IM1 1AE

Our ref: 4262717 12 December 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 19 November 2024, which states:

"How many adults and children in the Isle of Man are living with obesity. Please express the result in percentages and numbers?

Is the prevalence of both diabetes and obesity rising in the Island?

What is the percentage of those between 16-60 with type 2 diabetes who are overweight or obese?

How many drugs used in treating diabetes were prescribed in the Island in the last recorded year?

What was the cost to the Island of the drugs? What percentage was the cost to the total spend on all prescription items?

What is the cost to the Isle of Man economy of obesity?"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Health and Social Care (the Department) is unable to provide the information that you have requested. This is in line with Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (the Act), as a practical refusal reason applies; namely we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. Some of this information may be held by The Cabinet Office (Public Health) and some by Manx Care.

You may wish to re-submit your request to The Cabinet Office (Public Health) and Manx Care which are options available to you on the Freedom of Information request portal as they may be able to help you. Public Health may be able to help you regarding the number with diabetes and obesity and Manx Care may have details on the usage and cost of drugs.

In line with the Department of Health and Social Care’s duty to provide advice and assistance with your request under Section 15 of the Act, the Department of Health

and Social Care redesigned on 01 April 2021 as a direct result of Sir Jonathan Michael’s Independent Review of the Isle of Man Health and Social Care System. This Review continues to be a catalyst for change and improved service provision. The redesigned Department ensures the separation between the setting of policy and strategy and the delivery of services by Manx Care. Manx Care’s Integrated Medicines Optimisation Group (IMOG) are the strategic medicines management decision making committee with responsibility for promoting appropriate, safe, rational and cost-effective medicines use. We have included a link to Manx Care’s Manx Care’s Integrated Medicines Optimisation Group (IMOG) for more information about the work of this committee.

The Cabinet Office (Public Health), the role of Public Health Isle of Man is to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of residents and to reduce health inequalities. We have included a link to Public Health’s website for more information about their role.

Please quote the reference number 4262717 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.