Evidence-informed policy and practice

Irish Minister for Health Dr James Reilly is hosting an Informal Meeting of European Helath MInisters at Dublin Castle on the 4 and 5 March as part of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Childhood obesity, smoke-free environments, impact of the economic crisis on health systems and discussions on patient safety form part of an extensive agenda. Speaking in advance of the meeting Minister Reilly highlighted how important it is that EU Health Ministers work together to tackle issues such as obesity and smoking which impact on the lives of so many. 

A group of over 70 UK health professionals have released a detailed report outling action on alcohol misuse. The Alcohol Health Alliance call for the UK government to prioritise minimum pricing on alcohol and recommend an independent body be set up to regulate alcohol promotion including packaging and design.  The Alliance is chaired by leading UK expert on alcohol misuse, Sir Ian Gilmore who said 'This report provides a blueprint for action, now and in the future'.

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) in association with the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) will launch a report focusing on what we can learn from data on the island of Ireland about health expectancies. 

What do we know about the gap between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy on the island of Ireland? will be held at IPH Belfast,  12pm - 1pm, 7 March 2013.  Attendance is free and the launch will be available as a live webcast.

Programme:

The Seanad Public Consultation Committee have published a report into their consultation into how changes in lifestyle can prevent approximately 1/3rd of cancer in Ireland and how Government and Society need to respond to that challenge.  The Committee called for a national physical activity plan for all age groups, including the extension of bike/walking schemes and to ensure that this plan is central to urban and rural planning.  They called on the Health Minister to take this forward.

A major new public information campaign to tackle overweight and obesity has been launched by the Public Health Agency (PHA). The campaign is taking two main approaches: firstly, helping people to identify whether they are inching towards bad health by being overweight or obese, and secondly, offering advice on small steps that they can take to help reduce their waist size.

Vol 6 Issue 4 - December 2012

Inside this issue

 A conference hosted by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) has emphasised that public health is everyone’s business and all sectors and government departments must work together to improve the health of the population.

The IPH conference attracted more than 200 health professionals, officials and academics to discuss public health in The King’s Hall, Belfast in the first conference of its kind on the island.