Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 June 2014
198. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the strategy he has adopted or is going to adopt to encourage persons to learn more about looking after their own health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26521/14]
View answerHealthy Ireland - the Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013 – 2025 is the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of the country over the coming generations. Healthy Ireland supports a whole-of-government approach to address the determinants and predictors of health and wellbeing, many of which fall outside the health sector, e.g. housing, transportation, education, workplaces and environment along with an individual’s socio-economic status.
Critical to the success of Healthy Ireland is an active, central Government policy driven approach where Healthy Ireland’s actions are systematically embedded into the policies and programmes of relevant government departments, local authorities and statutory agencies. It is equally important that there is active engagement at local level, empowering and encouraging individuals to take the steps which they may need to take to protect their own health and wellbeing.
Within the HSE, Health Promotion is an integral part of the prevention and management programme for people with a range of illnesses and chronic disease. The increasing prevalence of lifestyle related and chronic diseases requires a more expanded scope and systemic provision of activities such as therapeutic education, effective communication strategies so as to enable patients to take an active role in chronic disease management or motivational counselling. The website www.healthpromotion.ie also provides information on a number of topics to assist people in looking after their own health including the misuse of alcohol, quitting smoking, healthy eating, mental health, physical activity, misuse of drugs and sexual health.
