{jcomments off}Following the September 2012 seminar in Newry on inequalities in Traveller men’s health, the full report on the research study (titled ‘Dying Fifteen Years Early - What can Traveller Men and Relevant Agencies do?’) is now available online.  This is a very large report (285 pages), in Portable Document Format (PDF), and takes quite a while to download (as it is a 6MB file).  Copies can be accessed at: www.southerntrust.hscni.net/pdf/DyingFifteenYearsEarly.pdf

{jcomments off}Are you looking for research focused on Northern Ireland? ...  If so, then try ORB.  ARK’s Online Research Bank (ORB) consists of two searchable databases of research, and these are a key resource for practitioners, community activists, service providers, students, academics, teachers, researchers, and journalists:  (1) The Social Policy Database contains a bibliography and summaries of social policy research in Northern Ireland since 1990.  The database can be searched in different ways, for example, by year of publication, by topic or by author.  There are now over 2,500 entries in this social policy resource.  For much of this material, there is a short summary of the work - giving background details, the research approach, key findings, and the conclusion.  (2) The Children's Research Database consists of a searchable bibliography of over 850 pieces of research looking at the lives of children and young people in Northern Ireland.  The database is sponsored by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to support the implementation of the Children and Young People's Strategy.  The framework for the search categories is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).  As with the Social Policy Database, links and summaries are available for the majority of database entries.

{jcomments off}This event will be led by Dr Ian Banks, and will take place on Wednesday 14th November 2012, from 9.30am - 12.30pm, in the Waterfoot Hotel, Derry / Londonderry.  The seminar will raise the profile of men’s health issues in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area by highlighting key facts and statistics on men’s health, exploring ‘what works’ with men, and giving opportunities to participants to comment on men’s health issues in the West.  To register, contact the Health Improvement Department at Tel: 028 7186 5127 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   For more information, or to book online, visit: www.westerntrust.hscni.net/about/2441.htm

{jcomments off}Abbeyfeale and District Initiative - in conjunction with Limerick Social Service Council - invites you to a free seminar titled ‘Community Resilience: My Mind Matters’.  This will be held on Wednesday 17th October 2012, in the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine, Co. Limerick, at 7.30pm.  The speakers will be: Dr. Kieran Murphy (GP in Athea, talking about the ‘Iceberg of Depression’), Alan Quinlan (Irish Rugby Football Union player, talking about ‘Life’s Journey’), and Christine Fitzgerald (Coordinator with the Grow organisation, talking about ‘Community Support’).  For more information, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}NINIS (Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service) provides free access to statistical and locational information relating to small areas across Northern Ireland.  NINIS is pleased to announce the launch of their new website.  This new site offers a wide range of improvements and additional features.  These include: more consistent navigation; ability to access an area profile report by entering a postcode, street or area name; opportunities to create your own charts, maps and interactive maps for exporting; function to view recently added / most viewed datasets and news headlines at a glance.  Visit the website at: www.nisra.gov.uk/ninis

{jcomments off}Thursday 27th September 2012 saw the launch of a new question-and-answer card game.  This resource promotes the benefits of healthy living in a straightforward, interactive and fun way - especially important at a time when two thirds of the Irish population are either overweight or obese!  The game was developed in the Republic of Ireland with the help of health professionals, including obesity expert Dr Donal O’Shea, dietician Cathy Breen, and fitness expert Philip Phelan.  ‘Salubria’ comprises 200 questions covering the topics of nutrition, fitness, healthy living and general knowledge.  It seeks to teach children the importance of healthy living, and to remind adults to build upon good habits and ditch the bad ones.  It is suitable for ages 10 years and upwards.  Visit www.salubriathehealthgame.com for more information.

{jcomments off}It’s time to check your health numbers!  So, why not come along to a session where you can avail of free checks and advice without having to make an appointment?  This will take place on Tuesday 9th October 2012, from 1.00pm to 4.00pm, in the Maureen Sheehan Centre, 106 Albert Street, Belfast BT12 4HL.  Checks and therapies will include: height, weight, BMI, cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, age progression, carbon monoxide, nutrition, skin scanner, heart health, breast / testicular awareness, spine age progression, allergy testing, complementary therapies ...  For more details contact Clan Mor Sure Start on Tel: 02890 327755 or The HEART Project on Tel: 02890 310346.

{jcomments off}September is the Irish Heart Foundation’s 'Heart Month'. This year their campaign will focus upon encouraging the public to ‘know your blood pressure and get it checked’.  This campaign will create awareness of and educate the public about: what high and low blood pressure is; maintaining a healthy blood pressure; managing and controlling high blood pressure through lifestyle changes and medication (if required).  An information booklet and posters are available to support the campaign, and the IHF is also running a national roadshow - with nurses conducting blood pressure checks in locations throughout the country.  To find out more visit: www.irishheart.ie/iopen24/irish-heart-month-2012-t-8_201_1068.html