asked the Minister for Health the funds which have been allocated to the health promotion unit within his Department; if he will outline the functions of this unit and what has been achieved so far this year by this unit.
Written Answers. - Health Promotion Unit.
80.
National lottery funding was specifically for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunisation campaign and EC funding was received for activities connected with the European Year of Information on Cancer.
The health promotion unit is an executive unit within the Department of Health. The unit's work programme reflects a broad intersectoral orientation. In addition to health service based programmes such as immunisation, the unit is currently involved in developing policies on a range of issues including nutrition, smoking, alcohol, safety and exercise. In this process the unit is working closely with health boards and is involving other Government Departments and a range of interested groups in the voluntary, commercial, professional and educational sectors. Briefly, the functions of the unit are: (1) establishing targets for Health Promotion in Ireland; (2) taking the lead role in creating and implementing health promotion policies within the health services; (3) stimulating and fostering the involvement of other Government Departments, voluntary organisations, professional and commercial groups in health promotion; (4) continuing the development of health information and education programmes; (5) undertaking and commissioning research studies in the area of health promotion; (6) servicing the Advisory Council on Health Promotion; and (7) maintaining liaison with Health Promotion agencies in other countries and relevant international organisations.
Since its establishment in January 1988 the health promotion unit has been directly engaged in a range of activities designed to promote health. A major new anti-smoking campaign was launched earlier this year. A campaign to eliminate measles, mumps and rubella is at present underway.
The unit is also responsible for a major food hygiene campaign, called CLEANWATCH, which enlists the support of local health boards, retailers and the general public in promoting greater awareness of the importance of hygiene in food and catering outlets.
The unit is addressing the drug problem through multi-disciplinary community based programme called "Drug Questions — Local Answers". It makes available training courses for facilitators in each health board who in turn bring interested people in the community together to familiarise themselves with the local problems and, where appropriate, to engage in follow-up action in their own locality.
In collaboration with the National Youth Council the unit is developing a special programme on drink awareness and youth (DAY). The package aims to educate young people about alcohol and to equip them with the skills necessary to deal with choices they will have to make about alcohol during their lives. The DAY programme is currently being piloted around the country and it is hoped that it will be available nationally in spring of 1990.
In co-operation with the Department of Education, comprehensive resource materials on AIDS have been developed for use in schools. The materials are currently being pilot tested in a number of pre-selected schools around the country. In the meantime, the health promotion unit and the Department of Education are in consultation with relevant interested parties such as school management, teachers unions and parents groups. The intention is that the materials will be available for distribution nationally early next year.
In co-operation with our colleagues in Northern Ireland and in liaison with the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society, the unit is developing resource materials for a community based programme on healthy lifestyles. The programme will be piloted in 1990 in the Mid-Western Health Board. This project will address issues such as diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol and stress and will be directed at a number of different audiences from the community setting to the workplace.
During 1989 — the European Year of Information on Cancer — Ireland played a very active part in the Europe against Cancer programme and the health promotion unit was involved in co-ordinating a range of activities which were carried out on a national basis. As well as the unit's own activities, e.g. a cancer education in schools programme, the anti-smoking campaign and the drink awareness and youth programme, this included activities organised by other statutory organisations as well as voluntary organisations.
Financial support is provided by the unit for the community-based Kilkenny Health Project — a pilot programme to modify risk factors for heart disease. The unit is in contact with a number of voluntary organisations, providing financial and other assistance for health promotion activities such as producing health information materials and running health related seminars.
Voluntary Organisations Programmes — 1989
|
Organisation |
Activity |
|
Association for Children with Learning Difficulties |
Booklet |
|
Cleft Lip and Palate |
Booklet |
|
National Association for the Ovulation Method in Ireland |
Leaflet |
|
Dental Health Foundation |
Booklet |
|
Society for Autism |
Seminar |
|
National Council for the Aged |
Booklet |
|
Federation of Services for Unmarried Parents and their Children |
Information Pack |
|
Association for the Welfare of Children in Hospital |
Speaker for Conference |
|
Irish Epilepsy Association |
Booklet |
|
Irish Congress of Trade Unions |
Leaflet |
|
Cospoir/Community Games |
Booklet |
|
St. Michael's House |
Booklet |
|
Thoracic Society |
Symposium |
|
Alzheimers Society |
Leaflet |
|
Foster Care Association |
Video |
|
Spina Bifida Association |
Booklet |
|
Aware |
Survey on Depression |
|
Irish Nurses Organisation |
Booklet |
|
Mental Health Association |
Leaflets & Seminar |
|
Mater Hospital, Breast Screening |
Poster |
|
Lupus Support Group |
Leaflet |
|
Miscarriage Association |
Leaflet |
In addition the health promotion unit itself has produced the following health information booklets and leaflets:
Books
Book of the Child
Food and Babies
Understanding Drugs
Play It Safe
Alcohol Fact Sheets
Booklets
Giving Up Smoking
Back Care
Menopause
Gynae Book
Hysterectomy
AIDS
Is Your Child Talking Yet?
Your Better Health Guide
Healthy Eating
Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties
You Drink and your Life
You Drink and your Children
You Drink and young People
Solvent Abuse (for professionals)
Leaflets
Headlice
Smoking & Pregnancy
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Blood Pressure
Put Your Heart Into It
Cystitis
The Sun Seekers Guide to Health
General Information for People
Travelling Abroad
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
CLEANWATCH (Food Hygiene)
Women and Alcohol
Solvent Abuse (for retailers)
Alcohol... A Problem
`Drinkwise' — A Self-Help Diary
At Home with Food Hygiene
Posters
Say "I don't Smoke"
Anti-Smoking stickers and signs
Nutrition
CPR (Save a Life)
First Aid Index Chart
Cleanwatch (stickers)
In association with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union the unit has established a distribution network through pharmaceutical wholesalers to all pharmacies in the country. In this way the public is given immediate access to a wide range of the unit's health promotion literature.