Action on the Social Determinants of Health
 August saw the launch of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Commission on Social Determinants of Health report, Closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health. The report found that ‘a toxic combination of bad policies, economics and politics is, in large measure responsible for the fact that a majority of people around the world do not enjoy the good health that is biologically possible’. The Commissioners stated ‘social injustice is killing people on a grand scale’. A podcast from WHO can be accessed here. View an interview with Sir Michael Marmot at http//who.int/social_determinants/final_report/en/index.html
The final WHO Commission report is available from www.who.int/social_determinants/en
Recognition from WHO Commission on Tackling Health Inequalities
 A joint IPH/Combat Poverty report highlights the extent to which health outcomes are influenced by social factors and calls for action. Tackling Health Inequalities – An All-Ireland Approach to Social Determinants aims to help policy-makers understand how their decisions can influence health, whether they work in housing, education, transport or directly in health and social policy. Coinciding with the launch of the final report of the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health, Commission Chairperson, Sir Michael Marmot described Tackling Health Inequalities as having 'the potential not only to reduce health inequities in Ireland, but also to serve as an exemplar of what can be done in a specific country. The more countries that follow the Irish example, and produce and act on their reports, the more real a global movement on social determinants of health will be. This will have a major impact on achieving a fairer distribution of health, within countries, and globally.'
Access Tackling Health Inequalities – An All-Ireland Approach to Social Determinants here.
IPH contributes to EU initiative on Social Determinants of Health
DETERMINE is an EU wide initiative to stimulate action on the social and economic determinants of health inequities. IPH is leading one of the work packages aimed at strengthening the knowledge base on policies and actions. 15 partners from across Europe contributed to the research providing a wealth of examples and common themes. Full report and summary available from http://www.health-inequalities.eu. Continuing work will focus on economic arguments for action. Contact teresa.lavin@publichealth.ie for further information.
Tobacco and Health Inequalities – an All-Ireland Report
IPH is delighted to announce that work will begin on an All-Ireland Report on Tobacco and Health Inequalities in partnership with the Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society in October 2008. The report will be published in mid 2009. Contact helen.mcavoy@publichealth.ie for further information.
Highlighting differences in health and well-being across the island
IPH recently published over sixty health and well-being indicators for every county in the South and every local government district in the North. For the first time, local pictures of health across the island are beginning to emerge.
The data highlights many surprising findings; in particular the large difference between the life expectancy of males in Co Roscommon and neighbouring Co Leitrim.
These datasets can easily be used to make more comprehensive regional comparisons which can help guide efforts to improve health and reduce inequalities.
They can help identify local needs, assist with planning and delivering health and social services, support national coordination of local efforts and help to monitor progress. The datasets allow people to look at the health situation in their own county or local government district.
Life expectancy is influenced by a wide range of issues and careful exploration of the comprehensive set of indicators on the Institute’s website (www.inispho.org) provides some insight into why differences exist. In partnership with others, IPH will continue to develop more comprehensive local health profiles. Contact steve.barron@publichealth.ie for further information.
APHO Network - providing meaningful health intelligence
Ireland and Northern Ireland’s Population Health Observatory (INIsPHO) contributes to the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) and draws upon its resources. APHO represents a network of 12 public health observatories (PHOs) working across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The network’s expertise is turning information and data into meaningful health intelligence. As well as serving regional users each observatory supports others across the network, by taking a policy lead on specific areas and:
- developing expertise and in-depth knowledge
- providing a single point of contact
- publicising significant work
- developing training programmes.
For example the South East specialises in obesity, physical activity, transport etc and the Eastern region specialises on primary care and rural health. Access PHO policy lead areas at http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=39436
Working together to update diabetes figures and tackle obesity
A small all-Ireland group has been established by the Health Research Board (HRB) and the Research and Development Office (RDO) to plan all-Ireland reference studies to update diabetes population prevalence estimates. Two new research centres - the HRB Centre for Health and Diet Research, led by Prof Ivan Perry, and the Centre of Excellence for Public Health (Northern Ireland), led by Prof Frank Kee - have agreed to participate.
Plans to establish an All-Ireland Obesity Observatory, with links to these research centres and the English Obesity Observatory, are being developed.
Kevin Balanda leads the Public Health Nutrition Cluster of the HRB Centre for Health and Diet Research. Contact brian.ward@publichealth.ie for further information.
Consultations
Department for Social Development (NI) consultation on the Draft Regeneration Framework for the North West Quarter Part 2 area of Belfast City Centre, the Northside Urban Village.
IPH conducted a rapid HIA appraisal and submitted a summary report to the Department for Social Development highlighting potential health impacts and making recommendations to enhance the Draft Regeneration Framework for the North West Quarter Part 2 area of Belfast City Centre. The appraisal reviewed four areas; connectivity and walkability; economy; housing; and public spaces. View the full HIA report and summary report outlining recommendations here.
Resources
Levelling Up
 IPH and Derry Well Woman launched Levelling Up – Securing Health Improvement by Promoting Social Inclusion on 21 August. Levelling Up is an action plan which documents commitments made by over sixty organisations in the North West border region on the social inclusion and health inequalities agenda. The action plan seeks to facilitate cross-border and cross-sector working to tackle social and economic disadvantage in the North West. Specific recommendations are made to promote the social inclusion of older women, new mothers and their babies, lone parents, Travellers, women with disabilities and women living with domestic violence.
The document can be accessed here.
Events
All-Ireland Health Intelligence Conference - 19-20 January 2009
The All-Ireland Health Intelligence conference, 'Better Intelligence, Better Decisions, Better Health' has been cancelled. This decision was made in context of the financial constraints imposed by the current economic climate. IPH appreciates the support of our partners and the interest shown by the health intelligence community. For further information contact brian.ward@publichealth.ie
Launching Health Impacts of Education: A Review – 4 November 2008
The health impacts of education is the fourth in a series of reviews which look at the associated health impacts of particular subject areas. This review has examined a range of international evidence to look at how education impacts on health. Education policy and key indicators for education performance have also been reviewed and a series of recommendations highlights the importance of considering the health impacts of education. Contact tara.burke@publichealth.ie for further information and to register for the event.
7th Comprehensive HIA Training – 9-11 February 2009
HIA training will be of interest to those working in public health, local and regional government and also the community and voluntary sector. The next training course will be held in Newry. Further details and an application form for the next course will be posted at www.publichealth.ie when available. For further information contact tara.burke@publichealth.ie
Contact us
|
