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24 October 2019

A new report by IPH providing an overview of key policies that aim to support older adults to be more physically active was launched at the Physical Activity & Older Adults: What Works? conference organised by the IPH.

The report- ‘Physical Activity and Older Adults’ – provides an overview of guidelines, trends, policies and frameworks.

Prepared by Dr Conor Cunningham and Prof Roger O’Sullivan, the report aims to be a resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.

It forms part of an ongoing programme of work by the IPH on the theme of physical activity and ageing, focused on the role of healthcare professionals, both North and South, in supporting older adults to be more physically active.

You can view the full report here

You can view the executive summary with key findings here

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24 October 2019

The ‘walkability’ of Ireland’s cities and towns needs to be improved to support people to live healthier lives, a conference organised by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) was told.

Healthcare professionals, government officials, policymakers and community organisations, from North and South, gathered to consider the role of physical activity in keeping the island of Ireland’s ageing population healthier for longer.

Over 977,000 people are currently aged 65 or over across the island. This will increase to over 2 million people by 2051.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that people aged 65 and over should do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as a brisk walk, five times a week.

But research shows that 1 in 2 people aged 65 and over across the island do not get enough physical activity.

Keynote speaker Prof Shane O’Mara, the author of a new book In Praise of Walking, told the conference that more is needed to support older people to build walking into their lives.

Prof O’Mara said: “Our bodies are designed for walking. Within the first few months of life, as babies we try to walk. But as we grow older, at a time when the benefits of physical activity are so important, we become less active and walk less.

For more information, click here

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1 January 2019

A little physical activity can help older people to live healthier

LIGHT physical activity, such as a walk in the park, gardening or a little housework can help older people to live healthier for longer.

That’s the message from the Institute of Public Health in Ireland as Positive Ageing Week takes place across the country. Today (October 1st) also marks UN International Day for Older Persons.

The weeklong initiative aims to highlight the positive aspects of ageing and celebrates the fact that we are living longer, and that growing older is an opportunity.

Over 530,000 people aged 65 and over currently live in the Republic of Ireland - by 2046, this will rise to 1.4 million people.

In Northern Ireland, the number of people aged 65 and over will rise from 297,000 to 491,000.

But research shows 1 in 2 people aged 65 and over in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland do not get enough physical activity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that people aged 65 and over should do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, such as a brisk walk, five times a week.

To find out more, click here

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23 September 2019

Joint Public Health Annual Conference 2019

Date 27 Nov 2019

Venue Titanic Belfast

REGISTRATION is now open to attend the Joint Public Health Annual Conference which takes place on 27th November in the Titanic Hotel Belfast.

The conference is hosted by the Public Health Agency, the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, Centre for Public Health at Queen's University Belfast, the Health Service Executive Ireland, UCC, and the Department of Health NI.

The theme of the conference is ‘Innovation in Public Health’ and aims to raise the profile of public health research, interventions and innovation, and engage local professionals, practitioners and researchers working in broad field of public health.

You can register here. Closing date to register is 4th October, although places are limited and may fill up before the closing date.

The day will provide an excellent opportunity to network across sectors and disciplines. In addition to the keynote plenary sessions, delegates will have the opportunity to participate in a number of parallel workshops showcasing the innovative approaches that are currently underway across the island of Ireland.

To read more about the keynote speakers click here.

To find out more and to register, click here

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10 July 2019

National Framework on the Transition to an Open Research Environment

There is a fundamental shift across Europe towards making research more transparent, collaborative, accessible and efficient. Ireland already has a strong research reputation with a proven track record of collaborating and competing successfully in Europe and beyond. We recognise the importance of collaborating at a national level also to better support research and researchers in the key areas of open access publications, FAIR research data, infrastructure, skills and competencies, and incentives and rewards.

Open research requires system-thinking and a change in research culture and behaviour. The National Open Research Forum (NORF) is leading a critical and informed approach to framing open research in Ireland. It is a great example of how collaborative working at a national level can help to reach agreement on difficult choices which support our common purpose of delivering excellence, talent and impact across the Irish research system

To access the Framework. Click here

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16 July 2019

Commercial foods for infants and young children in the WHO European Region (2019)

A study of the availability, composition and marketing of baby foods in four European countries

In order to help Member States understand what commercial foods for infants and young children are currently on the market, and to support implementation of the Guidance on ending inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children at the European level, the WHO Regional Office for Europe developed a methodology for identifying commercial baby foods available in retail settings and collecting data on their nutritional content, as well as various aspects of their packaging, labelling and promotion. This publication describes the findings from a study conducted in four countries of the WHO European region based on this methodology.

To access the Report Click here

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2 July 2019

New research reveals households on low incomes need to spend up to 1/3 of take home income to afford a healthy food basket

Research highlights challenges facing low-income households in balancing the expense of a basic, acceptable and nutritious food basket while meeting other weekly household expenses.

New research by safefood has revealed some families on low income need to spend up to one third (33%) of their take home income to afford a basic food basket that is acceptable and meets nutritional needs. In general, households on a low-income tend to eat less well, have poorer health outcomes with higher levels of excess weight and its complications.

To access the Report Click here

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9 May 2019

Guide Dog Day

10 May 2019

Tomorrow is Irish Guide Dog Day! An awareness raising and fundraising day for Irish Guide Dog's clients - vision impaired people and the families of children with autism

To find out more, click here

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8 April 2019

Healthy Workplace Framework consultation report launched

A CONSULTATION report on developing a Healthy Workplace Framework has been published by the Department of Health (ROI).

The report was prepared for the Department of Health by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH).

IPH facilitated the online consultation and hosted events in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Sligo which invited stakeholders to share their views and experience on creating a healthy workplace.

The consultation report will now be considered by the Department to inform the development of the Healthy Workplace Framework, which is expected to be published later in 2019.

The aim of the Framework is to recognise and enhance existing initiatives, to facilitate the sharing of experience and learning, and also provide the necessary supports and tools for organisations or companies who haven’t yet developed their own resources.

The Framework sits under Healthy Ireland and is intended to provide a supportive, flexible, evidence-based structure that can be applied across all workplaces in Ireland regardless of their sector or size.

IPH is continuing to support the Department with this important Framework in the areas of policy design, implementation and monitoring

You can read the consultation report here

and three further research papers here

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18 January 2019

A report prepared for the Department of Health in Northern Ireland by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH)

The report was commissioned to support the Department of Health in Northern Ireland’s drug and alcohol strategy review.

IPH’s Director of Policy Helen McAvoy said: “Drug and alcohol-related harms continue to escalate across the island of Ireland and the UK. These harms threaten the wellbeing of individuals as well as their families and communities, particularly those living in social disadvantage."

Findings from the review were presented at the European Alcohol Policy Conference held in Edinburgh in 2018

The Report can be accessed here

Further information about the IPH alcohol policy work can be accessed here

Access the Department of Health's alcohol and drug strategy and reports here

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