Changing the future: experiencing adolescence in contemporary Ireland: sexual health and behaviour.

If we create the space in which children and young people can talk openly and in their own language even upon challenging subjects such as sex, then we are likely to learn more from what they tell usâ?T proposes the final UNICEF Ireland report which examines adolescent perspectives on sexual health and behaviour. Key findings in the report included: 63%, and 1 in 5 sixteen year old respondents, reported that they have had sex; 1 in 5 sexually active respondents reported that they did not use a condom the first time that they had sex; 2 in 5 girls who were sexually active reported that they had consumed alcohol before their first sexual experience, compared to 3 in 10 boys; The majority of respondents (54%) reported that they had watched pornography on the internet, and more than one third of the respondents who had watched pornography on the internet believed that it was accurate or educational; Only 1 in 5 respondents reported that they ever speak to their parents about sex. Noting â?~the broad spectrum from which young people living in Ireland draw down information about sexâ?T the UNICEF Ireland report concludes that â?~we must be sure that when a young person is making decisions about their sexual health and behaviour, every opportunity is afforded them in terms of open discussion, understanding, support, information and adviceâ?T Commenting on the Report, Amel Yucef a Youth Health Coordinator at the Base Youth Centre, Ballyfermot said â?oAs the participants in UNICEF Irelandâ?Ts survey have shown, many young people do not feel equipped with the information and support they need to make informed choices about their sexual health. Providing those supports is a priority for us at the Base.â? The Youth Health Programme, that Amel co-ordinates is a HSE funded initiative which was created to respond to the health needs of young people, as identified by the young people of the Dublin 10 area themselves. The Programme delivers community-based and youth-friendly health responses, based upon a harm-reduction model. The Youth Health Programme works towards building the capacity of young people to access health services, while also encouraging those services to deliver in an accessible and youth-friendly way.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

IPH response to Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department for Regional Development Spatial Strategies

The remit of the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) is to promote cooperation for public health between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the areas of research and information, capacity building and policy advice. Our approach is to support Departments of Health and their agencies in both jurisdictions, and maximise the benefits of all-island cooperation to achieve practical benefits for people in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. As an all-island body, the Institute of Public Health in Ireland particularly welcomes that the Framework for Collaboration has been co-produced by the Department for Regional Development and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In addition the Institute of Public Health welcomes a more holistic approach to spatial planning that takes into account the environment and sustainable economic development. A clean environment and a more equitable distribution of prosperity have associated health benefits, as outlined in the IPH’s Active travel – healthy lives (2011) and Health impacts of the built environment- a review (2006).

Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy and Action Plan (PDF 455KB)

Northern Ireland may not enjoy the sunniest climate in the world, or even in the UK, however, in spite of this we have witnessed a significant rise in the incidence of melanoma skin cancer cases in recent years - from 80 cases in 1984 to 282 in 2009 (the latest year for which published figures are available). In relation to non-melanoma skin cancers, there are approximately 2,850 new cases here each year, making it the most common type of cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland. åÊ The rise in the number of skin cancer cases is alarming. We know that the increase in this particular type of cancer is global and not just confined to our part of the world. We also know there are many factors involved: the significant rise in people travelling on foreign sun holidays; more leisure time being spent out of doors; and damage caused to the ozone layer to name but a few. åÊ Substantial progress in the area of skin cancer awareness raising and prevention has been made through the previous “Melanoma Strategy” which was developed in 1997. However, the unfortunate reality is that we will continue to see rising rates of skin cancer for some time to come as a result of many years of overexposure to the sun before skin cancer prevention programmes were developed. Until we can reverse this trend through effective campaigning and awareness raising, early detection will be key to bringing down mortality rates. While the 1997 strategy was right for its time, there have been many developments since then, necessitating a new strategy to reflect today’s position. åÊ For example, recent studies about the importance of vitamin D have highlighted the need for balance in sun safety messages. This new strategy is not about stopping people from enjoying the sun and its many benefits. Rather, it is about encouraging people to take proportionate measures to prevent overexposure. åÊ åÊ

Development of Public Health Nursing within Public Health Nursing in the Poleglass Twinbrook and Lagmore Areas of Down Lisburn Trust (PDF 424 KB)

Project evaluation report on the development of public health nursing within children's services in areas of Down Lisburn Trust. Part of the Department's redesign of community nursing project

Gender and Health: Strategies for Implemention - Seminar Proceedings

The recently published National Women's Strategy (NWS) identified the need to incorporate a gender perspective into mainstream health policy, as well as implementing positive action measures to ensure that the health of women in this country is promoted and protected (Government of Ireland, 2007). The strategyalso refers to the importance of gender as a health determinant and the recognition by the Health Service Executive of the need to work in partnership with the Women's Health Council (WHC) to develop gender mainstreaming in the planning and delivery of its services (HSE, 2005). Download document here

North Down & Ards AMH

AMH, founded in 1963, one of the largest regional voluntary sector organization in NI, has provided a range of services for people with mental health difficulties and learning disabilities. AMH Ards offers a range of person centred activities eg training in IT, administration, catering, literacy and numeracy, crafts etc. They have completed 2 Level 2 applications. This Level 3 application will endeavor to build on the success of the second project, encouraging and building capacity for people to identify their own health needs, enable them to benefit from a range of support services, including pharmacy available to them. In addition, it will continue to educate and involve pharmacists in the road to mental health recovery. 4 programmes (7 weeks long ï¿_ 3 with the pharmacist) will be delivered each year (2 at each of the centers in Ards and Bangor). This more formal programme will be supplemented by ongoing support, staff training (2 sessions) and 4 informal drop in sessions and more general health events. At all of these sessions, the pharmacists will either lead on or attend.

Staying safe down on the farm

Visiting an animal attraction, zoo or wildlife park is a great way to get children out and about in the summer months. It's hugely popular with schools and parents, with at least 700,000 children visiting farms on the island of Ireland every year. It's also an environment where children can get up close with animals. Animals can carry germs which are harmless to them, but could make you verysick, so make sure your children know how to keep themselves safe. safefood's welly-wearing cow, Suzie Moo, has some simple advice.

Novel Strategies For Food Risk

Our every day decision-making behaviour relating to food choice is taken in the context of considerations of health, naturalness, economy, convenience and what we perceive as ‘risk’. Risk perception is now as important as any technical assessment of risk. In order to communicate effectively with the consumer about food risks, the importance of the exchange of information and opinions among the interested parties is recognised (FAO/WHO, 1998). Risk communication is “not just a matter of ensuring that one’s messages are delivered and listened to â€_.. also very much a process of empowering individuals â€_. to sharpen the skills necessary to make balanced judgements on risksâ€ù, (Scherer 1991). This safefood review, conducted on an all-island of Ireland basis, provides valuable insights into the perception of food safety risk from consumers on the island of Ireland and the food safety expert viewpoint. It explores the barriers to communicating with consumers on the island of Ireland about food safety risk. It also studies the barriers to promoting and practising good food hygiene - subgroups within the population are identified as being at ‘high risk’ because of inadequate levels of knowledge or more frequently resulting from not believing that the investment of time and effort in good food safety practice is worthwhile.

Cut down on salt

Adapted from the Irish Heart Foundation We all know that too much salt is bad for our hearts. But what can you do to cut down? Between 65% and 70% of the salt we eat comes from processed food, fast food, and canteen and restaurant food – so as well as reducing the amount of salt that you add to food, it’s especially important to cut down on the amount of salt you get from processed food. Getting to know your way around nutrition labels will go a long way to help you do this.

Setting health targets for poverty strategies: A background research paper

This document was prepared for the National Anti-Poverty Strategy and Health Working Group to inform its work. It draws together research on the links between poverty, income inequality and health and target setting.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

National Strategies to Address Dementia: Alzheimer Australia

National Strategies to Address Dementia This 12-page Australian paper provides an overview of a range of approaches that a selection of countries have taken to address dementia

Taking speed can really bring you down

This poster informs about the effects of taking speed stating: 'The more speed you take, the more exhausted you are when it wears off and the more likely you are to keep taking more. And that's called addiction'. It also provides contact details for the National Drugs Helpline. Tel: 0800 776600.