27 May 2008

In a presentation to the North/South Ministerial Council Health and Food Safety Sectoral Meeting, Dr Jane Wilde Chief Executive of the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) outlined the public health successes and the shared approaches to common problems that lie at the heart of North South co-operation for health over the past ten years as well as looking to the future.

Dr Wilde commented

“In the past ten years the growing challenge of chronic diseases and the related issues of tobacco use, obesity, and mental ill health, environmental pollution and health inequalities have all emerged as key challenges across the island of Ireland. Sharing knowledge, expertise and resources makes sense from so many different perspectives.

 “Looking forward to the next ten years, the IPH plans to focus on research to develop agreed and accurate estimates and forecasts for common chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, injury and respiratory conditions. Estimates and forecast are a vital part of prevention, planning and treatment and IPH work will be of importance to health service in both jurisdictions.  IPH will also review policy and practice approaches to alcohol, and develop cooperation to tackle the pervasive problems of health inequalities.”

Speaking after the presentation in Belfast, Northern Ireland Health Minister McGimpsey said

“I would like to congratulate the Institute on its achievements over the past decade, which complement and inform public health in both jurisdictions.  Addressing health inequalities and encouraging people to take responsibility for their own health continues to be a huge challenge.

 “The Institute of Public Health has led our thinking on these matters over the past decade by promoting cooperation across the island and has helped to create benefits for people - especially the most vulnerable - on both sides of the border. I look forward to future mutually beneficial joint activities to promote public health and to tackle health inequalities.”

IPH was set up to seek practical advantages from building co-operation for public health between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. IPH works in four areas: policy advice, information, research and capacity building and our objective is to tackle inequalities in health and improve the health of the public.

Ends

For further information contact:

Gráinne Walsh on 028 9087 2800 or 079 2016 5600 or Arlene McKay on 02890 648494  

Notes to Editors
 
The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH)
IPH was set up to seek practical advantages from building co-operation for public health between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  We work in four areas: policy advice, information, research and capacity building and our objective is to tackle inequalities in health and improve the health of the public.

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Northern Ireland Health Minister Michael McGimpsey MLA, Dr Jane Wilde Chief Executive of the Institute of Public Health in Ireland and Irish Health Minister Mary Harney TD