This report provides an overview of results from the third wave of the Healthy Ireland Survey - an annual interviewer administered face-to-face survey commissioned by the Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland.  Survey data plays a number of roles, including supporting the Department in ongoing engagement and awareness-raising activities in the various policy areas, and supporting better understanding of policy priorities.  This third wave consisted of 7,487 interviews, conducted with a representative sample of the population aged 15 years and older.  To see the findings, visit: http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/16-048825-Healthy-Ireland-Survey-18-October_for-printing.pdf

The South Eastern Drug and Alcohol Connections Service recently invited Jón Sigfússon, the Director of Youth at the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis (ICSRA), to come to Northern Ireland and share his knowledge of the inspirational Icelandic Drug Prevention Model.  The aim was to identify effective, evidence-based prevention in the field of alcohol and other drugs which could be applied locally.  In 20 years, Iceland went from the highest rate of alcohol and drug use amongst young people in Europe to the lowest.  Find out more at: www.ascert.biz/news-events/news/blog-inspiration-from-iceland-drug-prevention-is-possible

A major European internet survey aimed at men who have sex with men (MSM) has been launched in Ireland.  EMIS 2017 aims to generate data to understand the sexual health needs of MSM, including gay, bisexual and transgender men.  This data will also be used to help direct HIV and sexually transmitted infection prevention programmes.  EMIS 2017 takes around 20 minutes to complete and is anonymous.  If you are over 17 years of age, living in Ireland, and are a man who has sex with other men, you are invited to participate.  The survey can be found at: www.demographix.com/surveys/3Y9Q-VHRX/6BNEKQJV

The Public Health Information and Research Branch, Information Analysis Directorate, Department of Health NI has just published a summary of the main topics included in the 2016/17 Health Survey.  The Department intends to produce a number of more detailed topic specific bulletins throughout 2017/18.  These will be made available on the Health Survey page on their website at: www.health-ni.gov.uk/topics/doh-statistics-and-research/health-survey-northern-ireland

The PMD Partners’ Study is recruiting partners of women who have experienced a mental health problem in the year after having a baby.  For most families, having a baby is a happy occasion.  However, a small number of women will experience a mental health problem such as anxiety, postnatal depression and/or postpartum psychosis that may or may not have received a clinical diagnosis.  Often the woman’s partner can play an important role during this time, but we currently have little knowledge about what the partner experiences.  This study aims to provide insights into understanding partners’ experiences in order to provide the support they need during this time.  This study is being undertaken by Jill Atkinson, a PhD student at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin and has been funded by the Health Research Board.  If you would like to participate, or would like more information, please contact Jill on Tel: 087 0629892  |  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A new TV, radio and online advertising campaign to increase understanding and support for people living with dementia was recently launched by the Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, as part of the Dementia: Understand Together initiative.  The campaign seeks to raise awareness, increase understanding, and address the loneliness and isolation experienced by people living with dementia and their families.  It aims to show that people with dementia can be supported to live well, and that each of us can play a part by maintaining friendships and including people in community life.  The launch of the campaign coincides with the official unveiling of a new website for people who want to find out more about dementia, which can be accessed at: www.understandtogether.ie

The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Sexual Health Training Team's 23rd Annual Regional Conference will take place on Wednesday 22nd November 2017, from 9.00am - 5.00pm, in the Titanic Centre, Belfast.  This year's event will focus upon inequalities in health for women, and will bring together a wide range of experts to present up-to-date research and projects from throughout the UK and Ireland.  To book a place or to find out more, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 02895 047028.

To mark 'Movember' and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) is offering top tips to help organisations to effectively communicate health information to men. Around four in every ten men have low health literacy and this makes it hard for them to find, understand and use health information. Following research conducted by ICS and University College Cork - supported by the National Adult Literacy Agency - a number of key recommendations were made that should be considered when developing health information for men ...