Shared approaches to common problems lie at heart of North/South cooperation for health

IPH recently spoke at the North/South Ministerial Council Health and Food Safety Sectoral Meeting. Public health successes and shared approaches to common problems that lie at the heart of North/South cooperation for health over the past ten years were highlighted. Chronic diseases and related issues of tobacco use, obesity, mental ill health, environmental pollution and health inequalities were included as emerging key challenges across the island of Ireland.

Health Ministers Mary Harney and Michael McGimpsey congratulated IPH on achievements in the last decade, which complemented and informed public health in both jurisdictions. 

Confirming Northern Ireland’s place on the international public health map

The launch of the new UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health led by Prof Frank Kee of Queen’s University Belfast, in partnership with IPH, Community Development and Health Network and W5, took place on the 18 June. Linking public health research to public policy, this creative collaboration will enable others to learn from the Centre’s work.

Leadership in public health was referred to by deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness who congratulated IPH on their work in this area. Access the Centre’s website here. 

‘Women speaking across the border’ report welcomed at International Women’s Health Conference

A report documenting how the health and wellbeing of women were shaped by the violence and disruption of conflict was welcomed by Irish President Mary McAleese at ‘Other Borders’ the International Women’s Health Conference in May. The report ‘Women speaking across the border: the impact of the border and the conflict on women’s health and roles’ shows that the peace process has brought potential for advancements in the general and mental health of women of all ages. President McAleese welcomed moves by both governments to tackle domestic violence. Dr Helen McAvoy presented highlights from IPH work focusing on a process of intensive partnership-building (both cross-border and cross-sectoral) with a range of agencies which impact on the social determinants of health. Contact Julie@derrywellwoman.org for the conference report.

Access ‘Women speaking across the border’– here.

IPH work on fuel poverty enters the political arena

Fuel poverty is receiving renewed attention within political circles in Ireland and Northern Ireland as rising fuel prices hit the headlines.

In the Republic of Ireland IPH called for an Inter-Departmental Group on Fuel Poverty to enable the development of a fuel poverty strategy. Presenting IPH’s ‘All Ireland Policy Paper on Fuel Poverty and Health’ to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs, Dr Helen McAvoy noted the lack of clear leadership and absence of a structure for coordination to reduce fuel poverty.

In Northern Ireland, IPH presented to the Inter-Departmental Group on Fuel Poverty and the Northern Ireland Fuel Poverty Advisory Group in May on the same day as Minister Ritchie announced her intention to form a specialist working group to develop a response to the crisis in fuel prices.

Access IPH’s All-Ireland policy paper on fuel poverty and health here.

Community planning to tackle health inequalities

The Review of Public Administration in Northern Ireland presents opportunities for a wider approach to health inequalities including the proposed new community planning process, led by the new amalgamated Councils.  A briefing paper outlining 10 actions elected representatives can take to ensure community planning tackles health inequalities has been developed by IPH, Community Development and Health Network, Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action and is available here.

Raising awareness of health inequalities in the border region

The CAWT Health Inequalities Project is a cross border and cross sector initiative aimed at raising awareness of health inequalities in the border region. IPH is a partner in this initiative. Workshops brought together representatives from the statutory, voluntary and community sectors to communicate early findings from the study and to hear about successful community based approaches to tackling health inequalities.

For further information please contact Tracey Haughey (traceyha@shssb.n-i.nhs.uk).

Consultations

Planning Policy Statement 18 (PPS18) looks at Renewable Energy and sets out the Department of the Environment policy for development that generates energy from renewable energies.  IPH welcomes the policy in an effort to address climate change, one of the most important public health challenges of the 21st Century, and identifies the inequities which exist amongst low income householders and their energy sources.  Health Impact Assessment (HIA) should be adopted for all renewable energy developments.  Access IPH's response here.

Resources

New IPH and INIsPHO websites have now been launched
Let us know what you think by emailing info@publichealth.ie. Our website addresses are:
http://www.publichealth.ie
http://www.inispho.org

Health Poverty Index data to be published
Data relating to regional health inequalities across the island of Ireland will be made available on Ireland and Northern Ireland’s Population Health Observatory (INIsPHO) website in August.

The Irish Health Poverty Index (iHPI) consists of summary measures of health poverty at local and regional level. iHPI reflects the complex health, social, economic, environmental, and resourcing factors involved in the generation of health and ill-health. iHPI can be used to examine geographical variation in health inequalities, to describe the health profile of an area, and for local needs assessments and planning.

Events

Ireland and Northern Ireland’s Population Health Observatory (INIsPHO) regional training workshop – 18 August, Sligo
INIsPHO training is aimed at those working across the health sector interested in using information to strengthen decision-making. The next training workshop on INIsPHO eTools will be held in Sligo on 18 August. The focus will be two key resources:

• eLibraries - a collection of electronic libraries from Ireland and the UK that allow you to search a number of libraries/collections in one search.

• INIsPHO eData - collections of public health data that is available as pre-calculated indicators or actual datasets that can be manipulated by the user.

The workshops provide an introduction to these resources and hands on experience. The resources are available at www.inispho.org/etools  For further information contact brian.ward@publichealth.ie 

Public health advocacy training seminar – 18 August, Sligo
Influencing outcomes to protect and promote health and wellbeing is the focus of public health advocacy training.  The Public Health Alliance for the island of Ireland (PHAII) and IPH have organised a workshop for those interested in public health advocacy.  The workshop is free.  For booking contact Helen Gilmore before 27 July by emailing h.gilmore@cieh.org or telephoning +44 (0)28 9033 1895

HIA 08: An International Conference
The 9th International HIA Conference will provide an international forum to debate and discuss a wide range of perspectives in Health Impact Assessment and explore the role of HIA across a range of sectors.  It takes place 9-10 October 2008 in Liverpool.  Access further information here.

All-Ireland Health Intelligence – New date
‘Better intelligence. Better decisions. Better health’ will now take place on 19 and 20 January 2009.  Please make a note in your diary. Access further information from here.

24th All-Ireland Social Medicine Meeting
The 24th All-Ireland Social Medicine Meeting will take place from 20 - 22 March 2009.  Papers are now invited for oral presentation under the broad themes of health improvement, health services research, health protection and health intelligence. Further information is available here.

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