Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 2

Written Answers. - EHB Health Information Unit Study.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

287 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the Eastern Health Board information unit study which correlates the extent of mortality rate and socio-economic factors in the Dublin area, he will initiate a programme which pinpoints the areas of deprivation that result in a reduction of health; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I am aware of the study to which the Deputy refers. The study, "Behaviourial Risk Factors among Young Adults in small areas with High Mortality versus those with Low Mortality", received some financial support from my Department's Health Promotion Unit. On the basis of their findings the authors of the study recommended that a health promotion programme be developed and targeted at the population of high mortality areas in Dublin; that the programme should be aimed at reducing smoking and increasing exercise and healthy eating; and that it should be developed in co-operation with local residents and agencies other than those involved purely in health care delivery.

Incorporated in the current health promotion activities of the Eastern Health Board are programmes which are specifically targeted at socially deprived areas. These include: family development programmes aimed at first-time mothers in deprived areas which involve structured interventions promoting physical, mental and emotional health; the travellers programme which involves a mobile health clinic for travellers with medical and nursing personnel involved in health promotion.

My Department is supporting a number of initiatives in the Dublin area which are aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles among disadvantaged groups. In co-operation with the Eastern Health Board, the Unit has established a pilot nutrition project in a Dublin suburb. This project is developing a community-based intervention model which will take into account the constraints faced by disadvantaged groups in the area of nutrition. A project officer has been employed to work with local statutory and community groups on the issue.

As the Deputy may be aware a Dublin Healthy Cities Project is in place for a number of years now. The Healthy Cities Project, which is a network of European cities, is a WHO initiative to promote health at local level. The parties to the Dublin Healthy Cities Project are Dublin Corporation, Dublin County Council, Dún Laoghaire Corporation and the Eastern Health Board. The project is involved with many voluntary and statutory bodies as well as community groups on a range of issues affecting health including smoking and exercise. Many of its projects are based in disadvantaged areas. My Department's Health Promotion Unit provides support for some of these projects.

The Health Promotion Unit is supporting the initiatives of Dublin Corporation in promoting the welfare of the elderly and in this context has funded the provision of leaflets on Hypothermia and Safety and Security. The Unit is also providing financial support for a Health Promotion programme for Teenagers in a North Dublin suburban community school.