Health and Education, Sources of Information

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) has produced a series of reviews which look at the health impacts of identified subject areas. Four reviews have been produced in the areas of employment, transport, the built environment and education. All reviews may be found at http://www.publichealth.ie/ireland/hiaresources. This resource supplements the ‘Health Impacts of Eduvation’ report. It highlights a number of organisations whose work considers issues relevant to the relationship between health and education.

Health and the Built Environment, Sources of Information

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) has produced a series of reviews which look at the health impacts of identified subject areas. Four reviews have been produced in the areas of employment, transport, the built environment and education. All reviews may be found at http://www.publichealth.ie/ireland/hiaresources. This resource supplements the ‘Health Impacts of Built Environment’ report. It highlights a number of organisations whose work considers issues relevant to the relationship between health and built environment.

Health and Transport, Sources of Information

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) has produced a series of reviews which look at the health impacts of identified subject areas. Four reviews have been produced in the areas of employment, transport, the built environment and education. All reviews may be found at http://www.publichealth.ie/ireland/hiaresources. This resource supplements the ‘Health Impacts of Transport’ report. It highlights a number of organisations whose work considers issues relevant to the relationship between health and transport.

Health and Employment, Sources of Information

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) has produced a series of reviews which look at the health impacts of identified subject areas. Four reviews have been produced in the areas of employment, transport, the built environment and education. All reviews may be found at http://www.publichealth.ie/ireland/hiaresources. This resource supplements the ‘Health Impacts of Employment’ report. It highlights a number of organisations whose work considers issues relevant to the relationship between health and employment.

Health Impacts of the Built Environment: A review

This review is the third in the series and illustrates how the built environment impacts on health. It also highlights the unequal distribution of these impacts on different sections of the population. We hope it will help inform debate about the links between the built environment and health and be a useful resource for those working to influence public policy for health at local and national level across the island. The review has an extensive reference list. To supplement the health impacts of the built environment review a 'sources of information' list has been developed which highlights a number of organisations whose work considers issues relevant to the relationship between health and the built environment.

Obesity Weighting up the Evidence: All-Island Multisectoral Conference on Obesity

The World Health Organization reports that overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions globally and estimates that approximately 1.6 billion adults and at least 20 million children under the age of five are overweight or obese. It is accepted that being overweight or obese increases the risk of health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers and has significant impacts on a wide range of other factors including education, employment and emotional wellbeing. This conference aimed to present a multisectoral audience with the latest developments in overweight and obesity prevention and management. This presentation was given by Dr. Kevin Balanda, Institute of Public Health in Ireland. The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) is leading the development of an All-Ireland obesity observatory The obesity observatory development is being undertaken in collaboration with: - HRB Centre for Health and Diet Research ﾖ UCC /UCD - Centre of Excellence for Public Health (NI) - QUB Projected outcomes: Adequate sample size Data to be sought and recorded Usefulness of a database in influencing policy Value to clinicians in management of obesity

Counting the Cost of Diabetes on the Island of Ireland

A new report published by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) and released on Monday 9 July 2007, predicts a 26% increase in diabetes in Northern Ireland and a 37% increase in the Republic over the ten year period (2005-2015). The new report entitled, Making Diabetes Count: What does the future hold? is the second such report from the authors - The Irish Diabetes Prevalence Working Group.

All-Ireland Health Data Inventory. Part 1: Metadata for key data sources, version 1.0

The All-Ireland Health Data Inventory. Part 1 is a catalogue of key sources of health data in the Republic and Northern Ireland. It includes relevant datasets from the major information reviews, conducted in the North and South, in the past few years. Information is essential for informed decision making and service provision. This inventory draws together information sources to facilitate such decision making. The inventory is intended as a resource for health professionals, researchers and the general public, providing the first phase of a ‘one-stop’ catalogue of health data. The datasets have been catalogued using an expanding numbering system which will allow for the inclusion of future resources. The Institute of Public Health in Ireland is in the process of expanding the Inventory to include further data sources.

Food Security on the island of Ireland: are we sleep walking into a crisis?

IPH has developed a discussion paper on food security on the island. This makes the case that health is and needs to be central to food and agricultural policy. Population health, food systems and agricultural production are intimately linked.  A clear framework on food security is needed in both parts of the island of Ireland and this offers a key opportunity for cooperation. This article has been published in the latest edition of The Journal of Cross Border Studies in Ireland - No 6 launched on 8 March 2011.

Consideration of health in Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) on the island of Ireland

This IPH report explores the extent health was incorporated into SEA in a manner which would suggest a good understanding of the many social and economic factors which strongly influence health. The research identifies that a consideration of health is not routinely included in SEAs. There is a need to build capacity and change mindsets in how SEAs are undertaken to more completely factor in the health impacts.

IPH response to DSD Urban Regeneration and Community Development Policy Framework Consultation

The Urban Regeneration and Community Development Policy Framework for Northern Ireland sets out for DSD and its partners, clear priorities for urban regeneration and community development programmes, both before and after the operational responsibility for these is transferred to councils under the reform of local government. Four policy objectives have been developed, which will focus on the underlying structural problems in urban areas and also help strengthen community development throughout Northern Ireland. The policy objectives are as follows: Policy Objective 1 – To tackle area-based deprivation: Policy Objective 2 – To strengthen the competitiveness of our towns and cities: Policy Objective 3 – To improve linkages between areas of need and areas of opportunity: and Policy Objective 4 –To develop more cohesive and engaged communities. Key points from IPH response Urban regeneration and community development provide a basis for addressing the social determinants of health and reducing inequalities in health. This policy framework presents an opportunity for coherence and complementarity with ‘Fit and Well - Changing Lives’ as part of government’s overall approach to tackling health inequalities. It is now well established that a focus on early years’ interventions and family support services yields significant returns, so prioritising action in these areas is essential. Defined action plans on child poverty are essential if this policy framework is to make a real and lasting difference in deprived urban areas. Development of the environmental infrastructure to improve health in deprived areas should be supported by well-planned monitoring and evaluation. Linking the policy framework to economic development and local community plans will enhance effectiveness in the areas of education, job creation, commercial investment and access to services, which in turn are critical for the economic growth and stability of urban communities. Community profile data and health intelligence (as available through IPH Health Well) could usefully inform central and local government in terms of resource allocation and targeted service delivery.

Extra healthy years or just extra years? What can we know from the data we have on the island of Ireland?

As life expectancy continues to rise, the prevalence of chronic conditions is increasing in our society. However, we do not know if the extra years of life gained are being spent with disability and illness, or in good health. Furthermore, it is unclear if all groups in society experience their extra years of life in the same way. This report examines patterns of health expectancies across the island of Ireland, examining any North-South and socio-economic differences as well looking at differences in data sources. The older population (aged 65 or over) on the island of Ireland is growing and becoming a larger percentage of the total  population. Republic of Ireland Census 2011 revealed that 12% of the RoI population was aged 65 or over (CSO, 2012), and Northern Ireland Census 2011 revealed that 13% of the NI population was aged 65 or over (NISRA, 2012). By 2041 the population aged 65 or over is projected to reach 22% in RoI and 24% in NI (McGill, 2010). It is unclear, however, if this increasing longevity will be enjoyed equally by all strata of society.

A Tobacco-Free Future - An all-island report on tobacco, inequalities and childhood 2013

A Tobacco-Free Future - An all-island report on tobacco, inequalities and childhood 2013 reveals declines in smoking rates among both children and pregnant women over the past decade, both North and South of the border. This report published by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) and the TobaccoFree Research Institute Ireland (TFRI), shows that while tobacco control measures are being successful, disadvantaged children are at particular risk of tobacco-related harms.

Strategic Resource Framework 2010/2011 (PDF 854 KB)

2010/11

Feasibility Study On A Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) For The Island Of Ireland

A feasibility study on the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) was commissioned by the Department of Health and Children, Dublin and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Belfast. The study was commissioned on foot of advice by the Cross Border Working Group on Pre-Hospital Care Working Group, one of the Groups established under the “Good Friday Agreement”.