asked the Minister for Health the health education projects which were in hand at the Health Education Bureau at the time of its winding up; the projects which are being continued; if he will make a statement on the arrangements made to maintain and develop these services; the importance he attaches to the role of health education and public health in the future development of the health services; and the new programmes, if any, which have been initiated since the winding up of the Health Education Bureau.
Written Answers. - Health Education Projects.
47.
At the time of its dissolution in December 1988 the following programmes were being undertaken by the Health Education Bureau: Anti-Smoking Campaign; AIDS Awareness; Immunisation; Drugs and Alcohol; Publications and General Print Materials; Public Information Service; Training Programmes, Support of Voluntary Organisations and Community Health Education Programmes.
Projects under all of these headings are being continued by the Health Promotion Unit established within the Department of Health on 1 January 1988. In regard to particular projects under these headings, the new unit is not constrained in the development of its activities to continuing the projects undertaken by the bureau. Some new projects are being undertaken and a number of projects previously undertaken have been discontinued. Some had reached a natural conclusion and in other cases alternative means of pursuing them have been sought. For example, teacher training in regard to health education is now regarded as a matter for the Department of Education, consistent with the recognition that health promotion must be pursued on an inter-sectoral basis rather than by the health services in isolation. Similarly, the development of community health education is now regarded as a matter for the health boards to pursue in their respective areas.
The new arrangements for health promotion introduced by the Government in January 1988 reflect the importance attached to this aspect of health policy. The new structure includes: a health promotion unit within the Department of Health, responsible for developing health education as part of a wider policy of health promotion; an advisory council on health promotion, drawn from the main economic and social interests which impact on health with the remit of making recommendations for change in public policy which will impact positively on health; and a committee of Ministers, reflecting the need for inter-sectoral action and the collective commitment of the Government to the promotion of health in all relevant areas of public policy. This committee is chaired by the Minister for Health and also includes the Ministers for Agriculture, Education, Energy, the Environment and Labour.
The introduction of this new structure means that for the first time there is a formal mechanism in existence through which the many aspects of health promotion which lie beyond the remit of the health services can be pursued on a co-ordinated basis.
The importance of health promotion, including health education, in the development of health policy in Ireland has been articulated in a number of public documents, including the consultative statement on Health Policy "Health — The Wider Dimensions" published by the Department of Health and the HEB report "Promoting Health Through Public Policy". This approach is also consistent with that advocated by the World Health Organisation which places a heavy emphasis on the development of health promotion as an integral part of a primary health care based health system.
Under the programme headings already listed, the Health Promotion Unit is undertaking the following projects in 1988. The stage of development of each project is also indicated:
|
Stage |
|
|
Anti-Smoking |
|
|
—Participation in National Smokeout |
Completed |
|
—Development of new antismoking campaign |
In progress |
|
Aids Awareness |
|
|
—Poster and media campaign aimed at high risk groups |
Ongoing |
|
—Research related to high risk groups |
Planned |
|
Immunisation |
|
|
—Public Information Campaign on Measles Immunisation |
Planned |
|
Drugs and Alcohol |
|
|
—“Drugs Question — Local Answers?”, a community-based approach to combating drug and alcohol abuse was launched in May. Training courses are now under way. |
|
|
Publications and Print Materials |
|
|
—Reprints of relevant materials |
Ongoing |
|
Public Information Service |
|
|
—Information on various health bottomics, campaigns etc. |
Ongoing |
|
Training Programme |
|
|
—Support of GP training related to AIDS—Parent Education Project |
OngoingPlanned |
|
Support of Voluntary Organisations |
|
|
—Funding of appropriate projects |
Ongoing |
Cleanwatch
Additionally, the unit in association with the Public Health Division of the Department, the Environmental Health Officers' Association and the food trade recently launched a major food hygiene campaign, titled "Cleanwatch". This campaign is of continuing relevance and is regarded as particularly important during the summer months and as a support to the tourist industry.
Apart from this work programme, the Health Promotion Unit works closely with the Advisory Council on Health Promotion. The council is currently considering a range of policy issues related to tobacco, alcohol, accident prevention, nutrition and exercise and expects to make recommendations on a number of these topics shortly.
I am satisfied that the new structures for health promotion introduced last January represent a significant stage in the development of health promotion as an integral part of public policy-making in Ireland.