Evidence-informed policy and practice

Public health policy and practice that improves population health and reduces health inequalities are the goals of the Institute of Public Health (IPH). The translation of the best available evidence into effective and efficient public health policy and practice is its core business.

This page gives an overview of IPH’s work in this area; further details can be found through IPH’s website.

A rigorous, systematic and inclusive approach

As the figure below shows, IPH adopts a rigorous and systematic approach to the development and application of relevant health knowledge. 

Figure: A framework for translating research into policy and practice

Working closely with government, health and social services agencies, the community and voluntary sector, and the general public is a central feature of its approach. IPH has established close ties with universities and colleges across the island as part of its effort to bridge the gap between what we know and what we do.

Our partners 

IPH is currently working with

• Department of Health (RoI)
• Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (NI)
• Public Health Agency
• Health Service Executive
• HRB Centre for Health and Diet Research, led by UCC and UCD
• UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health (NI) led by QUB 

Conducting relevant research and data analysis

IPH contributes to the knowledge base by conducting relevant research and data analysis on a range of public health priorities aligned to its strategic objectives. This work includes 

• Developing estimates and forecasts of the population prevalence of chronic conditions
• Monitoring health inequalities their determinants and consequences
• Developing and evaluating public health policies, programmes and interventions  
• Reviewing the health impacts of a range of factors such as education and transport 

Increasing access to relevant health knowledge 

In addition to building the knowledge base, IPH helps policy makers and practitioners access, manage and share information they need. IPH manages a number of unique health information websites that bring together the information resources - of different types covering a broad range of factors – that are needed to develop and manage effective systems-wide approaches to complex health problems. These include

• The Health Well website 
• Obesity Hub
• Fuel Poverty Hub

IPH also helps policy makers and practitioners use this information to develop better policy and to improve other public health and clinical practice. For example; it 

• Supports groups wishing to undertake a health impact assessments of local and national initiatives
• Contributes to key strategic groups charged with the development of national policy and strategy, and responds to public consultations undertaken by others 
• Provides online mapping and charting tools to help users explore the local, national and international health related numerical data

Building research and information infrastructure across the island

To strengthen the capacity of the public health community to effectively use information, IPH provides training and resources in 

• Health Impact Assessment (HIA)
• The use of its health information websites and online data tools
• The development, operation and evaluation of effective partnerships 
• Supports a number of public health related communities of interest   

Ireland and Northern Ireland’s Population Health Observatory (INIsPHO)

Evidence-informed policy and practice received a substantial boost in 2005 when Ireland and Northern Ireland’s Population Health Observatory (INIsPHO) was established within IPH. INIsPHO is a member of the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) in Britain and Ireland, and aims to supports evidence informed policy and practice across the island. It provides a focus for evidence informed policy and practice within IPH, contributes to its strategic objectives and manages The Health Well website and its thematic hubs.