Hungry for Change: Social Exclusion, Food Poverty and Homelessness in Dublin

This study investigates the impact of poverty and social exclusion on the food, diet and nutrition of people out-of-home in Dublin. The research involved a food frequency survey carried out with 75 people out of home, qualitative interviews with 12 individuals as well as a self-completion questionnaire administered to 18 food service providers in Dublin city. One of the main findings from the study was that the extent and experience of food poverty among homeless people was not only conditioned by income inadequacy and other socio-economic and cultural determinants, but particularly, by access to accommodation, as well as the quality of that accommodation. The report makes a number of practice and policy recommendations to tackle food poverty and homelessness. The qualitative approaches to food poverty employed for use with this sample of people out-of-home aimed to deal in depth with issues around food consumption. Through drawing a sub-sample from those who participated in the survey research (a process of recapture), the authors sought to expand on the survey questionnaire information on food issues. The themes for the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) emerged from the analysis of the survey questionnaires and 4 key thematic areas were selected. i) Access to cooking, preparation and storage facilities ii) Access, choice and constraints in food purchase and consumption iii) Access to information about healthy diet, food preparation and storage iv) Expectations, cultures, values and choice concerning eating The qualitative aspect of the research enquiry eventually generated one FGD and seven semi-structured interviews representing the views of a total of 12 persons all of whom had completed the initial survey questionnaire.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Women and Cancer in Ireland: 1994-2001

Although prevention is the primary aim of cancer control, early diagnosis and effective treatment are also central to reducing disability and death from cancer. Research in Ireland and internationally has shown major differences between women in the stage (extent) of their cancer when first diagnosed, in access to screening, and in the type of treatment received. These factors have also been shown to determine the rate of cure of cancers and the length of survival for those not cured. Many countries, including Ireland, have developed cancer policies in the past decade, with the aim of improving access, and ensuring that all cancer patients have appropriate, and evidence-based, treatment. These changes have major implications for women in Ireland, for example in the provision of breast and cervical screening programmes and in the expansion of specialist treatment centres for breast cancer. This is a publication of the Women’s Health Council. Read the report (PDF, 1.37mb) Read the Summary (PDF, 120kb)

Improving Access to Green Spaces

Evidence Review 8 - Improving access to green spaces Briefing 8 - Improving access to green spaces This pair of documents, commissioned by Public Health England, and written by the UCL Institute of Health Equity, address the role of green space in improving health locally. The first part of the evidence review defines ‘accessible’ green space and provides an overview of the evidence linking access to green spaces with health benefits, setting out the potential for reducing health inequalities. The second part provides an overview of interventions implemented at the local level to increase equitable access and use of good quality green spaces. Local authorities and local organisations have taken action on these issues through the implementation of interventions to: 1. Create new areas of green space and improve the quality of existing green spaces 2. Increase accessibility, engagement and use of green spaces The full evidence review and a shorter summary briefing are available to download above. This document is part of a series. An overview document which provides an introduction to this and other documents in the series, and links to the other topic areas, is available on the ‘Local Action on health inequalities’ project page. A video of Michael Marmot introducing the work is also available on our videos page.

A Process Analysis of Males and Females who Attended a Community Based Addiction Treatment Service: Towards an Expanded Paradigm

A process analysis was conducted in a community - based treatment programme for alcohol abuse. The aims of the study were: to evaluate assessment instruments and measures; to measure change following treatment; to monitor gender differences; to assess the importance of early and current relationships; and to evaluate the effects of therapists. Subjects (n=145, males 83/females 62) completed a semi-structured interview schedule, Severity of Alcohol Dependency Questionnaire (SADQ), Short Alcohol Dependence Data Questionnaire (SADD); General Health Questionnaire (GHQ 12), and Alcohol Problems Questionnaire (APQ). A further three non-standardised self-rated measures were devised by the author. Included was the opportunity to obtain qualitative data. Follow up data was collected at 3, 9 and 15 months following first assessment. The SADD, APQ and consumption measures using detailed drink diaries proved the most relevant assessment measures. Following treatment, there was significant reduction in clients' dependency levels at 3 months, maintained through 9 and 15 months. Key client-rated changes were progress in reducing consumption and alcohol problems leading to a better quality of life and health. Qualitative data augmented these quantitative results. Psychological and acquired cognitive behavioural skills emerged as the main reasons for positive change and the treatment programme was found to have played a significant role in their acquisition. It appears that addressing marital problems can lead to a reduction in alcohol dependency levels. Gender analysis showed that males and females were similar in demographic characteristics, alcohol history details and dependence levels. It was concluded that the differences found did not necessitate different treatment programmes for women. Early family relationships were more problematic for females. Therapist performance varied and that variance was reflected in their clients' outcomes.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

HIV & AIDS education and prevention plan 2008-2012. Mid-term review.

In 2008 a 4-year plan for HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention in Ireland was published. The plan aimed to contribute to a reduction in new infections of HIV and AIDS through education and prevention measures. It also aimed to guide and inform the development of policy and services in the statutory and non-statutory sectors with responsibility in this regard. This report is produced as a response to a letter from the Secretariat of the National AIDS Strategy Committee (NASC). The letter requested “feedback from the Education and Prevention Sub-Committee on prevention activities currently in place and on progress to date on the Education and Prevention Action Plan (2008-2012).” In addition, action 2 under Action Area 5: Monitoring and evaluation states that “a mid-term review of the implementation of this action plan should be published”. We note from the HPSC data that there has been a slight decrease in the overall number of new HIV infections however; there has been a huge concern over the large increase in new diagnoses in men who have sex with men (MSM). Although we cannot provide the evidence for the reason for this increase, it is stipulated that there has been a huge increase in the education and prevention programmes targeted at MSM and the report will show the evidence of that increase (Action Area 3: Preventing new infections: population group MSM). There is a presumption that because of increased awareness, access and confidence of MSM and improved treatment that there are more MSM being tested and more diagnoses. This report presents an update on the progress of the implementation of the actions in the HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention Plan 2008-2012.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Hiding the evidence: The State and spatial inequalities in health in Ireland

The Irish State has consistently reduced its production of publicly accessible disease / mortality maps over the last fifty years. State health statistics, and the small number of disease / mortality maps that have been produced in official publications, show a declining level of detail and are routinely out of date. Following a review of the production of disease / mortality maps in Ireland by the State and allied health agencies, two reasons are suggested for this decline. The first explanation relates to spatial inequalities in healthcare provision and to the absence of a health funding formulae in Ireland. The second explanation focuses on the potential politicisation of spatial inequalities in health status. Researchers in these fields are urged to disseminate information widely on spatial inequalities in healthcare provision, healthcare access and health status, both within and outside of the academic literature. Researchers in these fields are also urged to adopt an advocacy role on these issues, or to develop strategic alliances with such advocates.����

Clarifying approaches to: health needs assessment, health impact assessment, integrated impact assessment, health equity audit, and race equality impact assessment

Planners, policy makers and practitioners across all sectors in England use a range of approaches to assess health needs, inform decisions and assess impact. Use of these approaches can lead to improved health outcomes and reduced inequalities through auditing provision, access and outcomes. Five main approaches are used by local, regional and national government, voluntary agencies and the NHS: ۢ Health needs assessment (HNA) ۢ Health impact assessment (HIA) ۢ Integrated impact assessment (IIA) ۢ Health equity audit (HEA) ۢ Race equality impact assessment (REIA)

Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet, England 2006

This is a statistical bulletin from the Information Centre which presents a range of information on obesity, physical activity and diet, drawn together from a variety of sources. The topics covered include: overweight and obesity prevalence among adults and children physical activity levels among adults and children trends in purchases and consumption of food and drink, and energy intake health outcomes of being obese hospital admissions and prescriptions dispensed related to obesity. The bulletin also summarises government plans and targets in this area, as well as providing sources of further information and links to relevant documents.

Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet: England, 2010

This statistical report presents a range of information on obesity, physical activity and diet, drawn together from a variety of sources. The topics covered include: Overweight and obesity prevalence among adults and children; Physical activity levels among adults and children; Trends in purchases and consumption of food and drink and energy intake; and Health outcomes of being overweight or obese. refer to the resource

Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet: England, 2011

The Information Centre has published 'Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet: England, 2011'. This statistical report presents a range of information on obesity, physical activity and diet, drawn together from a variety of sources. The topics covered include: overweight and obesity prevalence among adults and children; physical activity levels among adults and children; trends in purchases and consumption of food and drink and energy intake; and health outcomes of being overweight or obese.

Management Framework Agreement between the Department of Education and Skills and City of Dublin ETB

Management Framework Agreement between the Department of Education and Skills and City of Dublin ETB. Provided by the Department of Education and Skills, Ireland.

Report of the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education

In line with a commitment under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness the Minister for Education and Science, Dr Michael Woods, established the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education, in September 2000, to advise the Minister on the development of a co-ordinated framework to promote access by mature and disadvantaged students and students with disabilities to third level education.