Over the past three decades, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased markedly in Ireland and worldwide.  While the personal and social costs of this global phenomenon are incalculable, researchers and policy makers in a number of countries have estimated the economic costs of overweight and obesity.  Safefood has commissioned a report on current and projected lifetime costs on the island of Ireland as part of its ongoing work to guide and inform responses to this public health crisis.  The report can be accessed online at: www.safefood.eu/SafeFood/media/SafeFoodLibrary/Documents/Publications/Research%20Reports/Cost-of-childhood-obesity-Report.pdf

The first-ever guide to help men to keep working during or after a cancer diagnosis has just been published.  ‘Working With Cancer’ (by the European Men’s Health Forum) is a 12-page booklet that answers all the questions that working men (whether employed, self-employed or freelance) might have when cancer strikes.  It was written by a working man with cancer; developed alongside a steering group which included working men with cancer; and read and commented on by working men with cancer.  The booklet also addresses the employer’s perspective, the legal position and issues around money and general health.  To find out more and download a copy, visit: www.emhf.org/new-guide-working-with-cancer

International Men's Day (IMD) takes place on the 19th of November each year.  This day offers an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the important contribution that men and boys make to their families, friends, communities, workplaces, society and the world.  However, it is also a time to highlight some of the key issues facing males, and to provide practical support and positive encouragement to overcome these.  For example, the Belfast Men’s Health Group will be setting-up a stall in St. Georges Market, Belfast, on Friday 17th November 2017, from 9.30am - 1.00pm, and men of all ages are invited to drop by and avail of the following free services: blood pressure checks, Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment, smoking cessation advice (including carbon monoxide checks), healthy eating guidance, physical activity opportunities, self-help booklets / leaflets  …  Keep an eye out for IMD activities and events in your area.  Better still, why not organise something yourself to mark this day!

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.