Reports

Now available: Final Review of NI Tobacco Control Strategy and reports on mental health and smoking, second-hand smoke exposure, and stakeholder engagement

maresa.fagan@publichealth.ie — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 11:57:23 +0000

Now available: Final Review of NI Tobacco Control Strategy and reports on mental health and smoking, second-hand smoke exposure, and stakeholder engagement maresa.fagan@p… Mon, 25/09/2023 - 12:57

Now available: Final Review of NI Tobacco Control Strategy and reports on mental health and smoking, second-hand smoke exposure, and stakeholder engagement

Tobacco

25 Sep, 2023

The Institute of Public Health has today published a series of reports relating to an end of term review of the 10-year Tobacco Control Strategy in Northern Ireland (2012-2022).
Today the Department of Health in Northern Ireland published a final review of the 10-year Tobacco Control Strategy (2012-2022).
Professor Sir Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, said the final review reflected on the achievements and progress made in relation to tobacco control since 2012, highlighting remaining challenges and setting out further considerations for the development of a successor strategy.
He also signalled that work would commence on a successor strategy, which will be co-produced with stakeholders and will seek to address remaining and new, emerging challenges.

As part of the review, stakeholder engagement was undertaken by IPH in 2022 using a structured and facilitated workshop and a post workshop survey. Access the report

Also published today was a report by IPH examining the relationship between mental health and smoking in Northern Ireland. It found that around one in three people who smoke in Northern Ireland has a possible psychiatric disorder. Access the report

Separately, a new report assesses the progress made in reducing second hand-smoke exposure in NI. IPH engaged experts Professor Sean Semple and Dr Rachel O’Donnell from the Institute for Social Marketing and Health at the University of Stirling to conduct a secondary analysis of data, which found that significant progress has been made under the NI Tobacco Control Strategy. Access the report

New HIA Case Study provides practical guidance on undertaking a Health Impact Assessment

louise.bradley@publichealth.ie — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 12:53:40 +0000

New HIA Case Study provides practical guidance on undertaking a Health Impact Assessment louise.bradley… Wed, 27/03/2024 - 12:53

New HIA Case Study provides practical guidance on undertaking a Health Impact Assessment

Health Impact Assessment

9 Apr, 2024

Downloads

Mellow Village: A Health Impact Assessment Case Study

Mellow Village: HIA Case Study (accompanying slides)

New HIA Case Study - practical guidance on how to undertake a Health Impact Assessment

The Institute of Public Health (IPH) has launched a new hypothetical case study providing practical guidance on how to undertake a Health Impact Assessment (HIA).

‘Mellow Village: A Health Impact Assessment Case Study’ sets out in detail the process and steps required to apply HIA to a hypothetical proposal to develop a mixed-use urban neighbourhood called Mellow Village. The case study is accompanied by a set of slides to demonstrate how decisions were made as well as links to the relevant section in the updated Health Impact Assessment Guidance.

The case study will be of interest to local authorities, community organisations, and policy- and decision-makers at local and national level.

The Mellow Village case study also complements a free online course introducing the basic principles of HIA, which is available on the Institute’s digital learning platform Public Health Matters.

The Mellow Village HIA Case Study is available at the top of this page.

The ‘Introduction to HIA’ learning module is available on IPH’s Public Health Matters platform.

DOI: 10.14655/11971-1084918

Easy Read: Smoking and Mental Health – An exploration of data in Northern Ireland and scan of policy approaches in the UK and Ireland

maresa.fagan@publichealth.ie — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 11:57:23 +0000

Easy Read: Smoking and Mental Health – An exploration of data in Northern Ireland and scan of policy approaches in the UK and Ireland maresa.fagan@p… Wed, 13/03/2024 - 11:57

Easy Read: Smoking and Mental Health – An exploration of data in Northern Ireland and scan of policy approaches in the UK and Ireland

Mental Health

Tobacco

13 Mar, 2024

Downloads

Easy Read: Smoking and Mental Health – An exploration of data in Northern Ireland and scan of policy approaches in the UK and Ir

This Easy Read publication summarises the findings from a recent report published by IPH that examined the relationship between mental health and smoking in Northern Ireland.

The report found that around one in three people who smoke in Northern Ireland had a possible psychiatric disorder.

It also considered tobacco control policy approaches to this issue across the UK and Ireland.

The report findings supported the Department’s End of Term Review of the Tobacco Strategy.

Support and information

For advice and support on stopping smoking in Northern Ireland - https://www.stopsmokingni.info/

If you have a mental health difficulty, advice on supports is available at: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/mental-health-support

2022 Annual Report

maresa.fagan@publichealth.ie — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 10:29:45 +0000

2022 Annual Report maresa.fagan@p… Wed, 20/12/2023 - 10:29

2022 Annual Report

Public Health

19 Dec, 2023

Downloads

2022 Annual Report

The Institute of Public Health (IPH) has published an annual report for 2022, providing an overview of work completed or commenced during the year.

The following graphic summarises some of our work during 2022:

Report: New research examines attitudes, motivation, and behaviours behind our readiness to manage weight in Northern Ireland

maresa.fagan@publichealth.ie — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:03:07 +0000

Report: New research examines attitudes, motivation, and behaviours behind our readiness to manage weight in Northern Ireland maresa.fagan@p… Thu, 23/11/2023 - 14:03

Report: New research examines attitudes, motivation, and behaviours behind our readiness to manage weight in Northern Ireland

Obesity

24 Nov, 2023

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Executive Summary: Applying psycho-behavioural segmentation analysis to understand healthy weight management behaviours in NI

Report: Applying psycho-behavioural segmentation analysis to understand healthy weight management behaviours in NI

A new study, published by the Institute of Public Health, examined the attitudes, motivations, and behaviours of 2,100 adults in Northern Ireland to better understand what influences an individual’s ability and readiness to manage their weight.

The analysis identified four distinct groups based on their attitudes towards healthy eating habits and physical activity, as well as their motivation, confidence, and the actions they took to manage their weight. It found that levels of obesity and readiness to change behaviours varied across the four groups.

The findings of the study may help to inform and develop new public health interventions around weight management by tailoring supports to the needs of each group. Previous population-based interventions tend to target groups with a high Body Mass Index (BMI) only but this new research highlights the importance of considering behavioural factors also, and in particular factors associated with readiness to change.

These behavioural factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, diet and nutrition, physical activity, general health, mental health and wellbeing, weight control, motivation, intention, confidence, as well as perceptions of influence on own health.

The study identified the following four groups based on insights into the attitudes, motivations, and priorities of individuals with respect to their weight management behaviours:

Rather than taking a universal or standard approach, the study suggests that each of the four groups is likely to require different messages, supports, and health interventions.

For example, more targeted supports and priority could be given to people identified in Group 4, who were found to be less motivated to change and were more likely to have mental health concerns or live in a disadvantaged community.

On the other hand, people identified in Group 3 may require different supports as they were highly motivated but could benefit from more guidance and support on how to maintain the changes they were making.

The study was based on an analysis of 2017/2018 Health Survey data from Northern Ireland.

Across the globe, rates of obesity have almost tripled since 1975. In Northern Ireland, official data shows that 27% or one in four adults (aged ≥16 years) and around 6% or one in 16 children (aged 2-15 years) were living with obesity in 2019/2020.

Obesity is a complex disease driven by a range of social, economic and environmental factors. It is a significant risk factor for developing non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and certain types of cancer.

IPH Director of Ageing Research & Development, Professor Roger O’Sullivan, said the findings supported the development of more tailored messaging and interventions: “We recognise that obesity is a major public health issue influenced by a range of social, economic and environmental factors. Our findings focus on personal attitudes, motivation, and behaviours and how they can influence an individual’s ability and readiness to manage weight. We have identified four distinct groups of people, with differing motivations and behaviours, who might benefit from more tailored messaging and supports to meet their individual needs.”

About the analysis:
This study analysed data collected from the Health Survey in Northern Ireland (2017/2018), which is a nationally representative household survey by the Department of Health (NI) that runs on a continuous annual basis.
The analysis included a sample of 2,100 respondents (16 years+), based on full reporting of Body Mass Index (BMI, kg/m2) measurements [physical measurements were taken of weight (kilograms) and height (metres)].
Data was weighted by age and sex to better represent the make-up of the general population.

Key terms:

Obesity: Obesity can be defined as an ‘abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health’, however, obesity is often classified as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥30kg/m2.

Overweight: Overweight can be defined as an ‘abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health’, however it is typically defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 to 29.9 kg/m2

Body Mass Index (BMI): BMI is a measure that uses a person’s height and weight to work out if their weight is healthy. The BMI calculation divides an adult’s weight in kilograms by their height in metres squared.

New report suggests odds of gambling stacked against 16-year-old boys in Ireland

maresa.fagan@publichealth.ie — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 10:20:10 +0000

New report suggests odds of gambling stacked against 16-year-old boys in Ireland maresa.fagan@p… Wed, 06/09/2023 - 11:20

New report suggests odds of gambling stacked against 16-year-old boys in Ireland

Children and Young People

Gambling

7 Sep, 2023

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Report: Children and gambling – evidence to inform regulation and responses in Ireland

Plain language summary: Children and gambling – evidence to inform regulation and responses in Ireland

Almost a quarter of 16-year-olds in Ireland gambled for money in the previous year, according to a new report, which found the odds of gambling stacked against boys compared to girls.

The report, ‘Children and gambling – evidence to inform regulation and responses in Ireland’, presents data from Irish secondary school students, collected through the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD).

The joint report published by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) and TobaccoFree Research Institute Ireland (TFRI) analysed 1,949 survey responses from Irish 16-year-olds, who were asked about their gambling activities in 2019.

This short video summarises the key takeaway messages from the webinar launch, which considered the report findings, policy implications, and future research.

The Europe-wide survey, which runs every four years, examines whether teens use slot machines, play cards or dice, lotteries (including scratch cards and bingo) or bet on sports or animals, whether they do so online or whether they experience problem or excessive gambling.

The survey also considers other factors, such as, sociodemographic and family characteristics, social media use, gaming behaviours, substance use, relationships and self-harm.

Overall trends

Overall 22.9% of 16-year-olds in Ireland reported gambling for money in the previous year, but this rate was higher among boys at 28.2% compared to 17.9% for girls.

Of the teens who gambled for money in the previous year, 10.3% experienced excessive gambling, while 5.6% met the criteria for problem gambling.

Children were considered to be experiencing problem gambling if they reported feeling the need to lie to important people about how much money they gambled and if they felt the need to bet more and more money.

Of those who gambled in the previous year, 23.1% reported engaging in online gambling, which was significantly associated with betting on sports and animals and associated with both excessive gambling and problem gambling.

The report also found that 16-year-olds who gambled online had a 4.2-fold higher odds of excessive gambling.

The analysis further estimated that around 21.3% of 16-year-olds, who gambled in the previous year, were getting into difficulty with controlling their gambling - 19.0% felt the need to bet more money and 8.1% reported lying to important people about how much money they gambled.

The findings highlight the need to protect children from direct and indirect gambling harms, as well as the need to collect and monitor data on gambling behaviours among children.

Of all 16-year-olds who gambled in the previous year:

59.7% were boys
21.3%% were getting into difficulty with controlling their gambling
19.0% reported feeling the need to bet more and more money
8.1% reported lying to important people about how much money they gambled.

Risk of harm for boys and girls

The report found that boys exhibited different gambling behaviours than girls and had higher odds of excessive gambling.

Approximately 80% of 16-year-olds, who gambled in the previous year and were experiencing excessive or problem gambling, were boys.

Of the 16-year-olds who gambled in the last 12 months, it was more common for boys to gamble online, bet on sports or animals, and gamble excessively.

Among those who gambled in the previous year, excessive gambling was around three times more common among boys than girls and problem gambling was over two and a half times more common among boys than girls.

Commenting on the findings, IPH Director of Policy, Dr Helen McAvoy, said: “This report shows that when 16-year-olds in Ireland engage in gambling, quite a few of them run into difficulty. This is particularly the case for betting on sports and betting online and for boys. Gambling rates among this age group in Ireland are around the European average, highlighting the need for a public health approach to reduce gambling harms.”

IPH Public Health Development Officer, Dr Ciara Reynolds, said: “We hope the report findings will help to inform ongoing gambling reform in Ireland. The report highlights the need for further research on children and gambling in national surveys to build on our evidence and produce more focussed approaches to protect children from gambling-related harm.”

Director of Social Research at TFRI, Professor Joan Hanafin, added: “The link between nicotine use and gambling is such that 16-year-olds who had smoked or used e-cigarettes were twice as likely to gamble for money, and this applied to both boys and girls.”

About the report

The report, ‘Children and gambling – evidence to inform regulation and responses in Ireland’ is based on a secondary analysis of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) and was carried out by Dr Helen McAvoy, Dr Ciara Reynolds, Salome Sunday, Professor Joan Hanafin and Professor Luke Clancy.

Supports

The following supports and services are available to anyone affected by gambling in Ireland:

Contact Gamblers Anonymous https://www.gamblersanonymous.ie/

Extern Problem Gambling https://www.problemgambling.ie/

The HSE also details supports available to children and young people here - https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/supports-services/

An overview of progress on reducing second-hand smoke exposure in Northern Ireland and policy options for the future

maresa.fagan@publichealth.ie — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 10:35:45 +0000

An overview of progress on reducing second-hand smoke exposure in Northern Ireland and policy options for the future maresa.fagan@p… Fri, 30/06/2023 - 11:35

An overview of progress on reducing second-hand smoke exposure in Northern Ireland and policy options for the future

Tobacco

25 Sep, 2023

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An overview of progress on reducing second-hand smoke exposure in Northern Ireland and policy options for the future

This report assessed the progress made in reducing second-hand smoke exposure under the Department of Health 10 Year Tobacco Control Strategy for Northern Ireland (2012-2022).

The findings of the report supported the Department’s End of Term Review of the Tobacco Strategy and will inform priorities in any successor strategy.

IPH engaged experts Professor Sean Semple and Dr Rachel O’Donnell from the Institute for Social Marketing and Health at the University of Stirling to conduct a secondary analysis of data and report on progress.

The report found significant progress .

It found that:

between 2012 and 2019 around 114,000 homes moved from permitting smoking to being smoke-free
6 out of every 7 homes are now smoke-free
the public was increasingly aware of the harmful nature on second-hand smoke, especially for children
there was considerable support for regulations which prohibited smoking in places where children are present, including cars carrying children.

However, the report also raised concerns that:

families living in socially disadvantaged homes were experiencing more exposure than more advantaged homes and this gap has widened over time
there was a lack of up to date estimates on second-hand smoke exposure for pregnant women.

The report makes a number of recommendations including target setting and protecting home health care workers from second-hand smoke when visiting patients homes, as well as further investment in smoking cessation, research and public awareness campaigns.

Other IPH work on second hand smoke

Smoke-free spaces: Progress in reducing exposure to second hand smoke in Northern Ireland incorporating the five year review of smoke-free legislation (2016)

Useful contacts and resources

For advice and support on stopping smoking in Northern Ireland - https://www.stopsmokingni.info/

Resources relating to the 2022 Northern Ireland law on smoking in cars when children are present - https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/directorates/operations/communications-and-knowledge-management/communications/smoking-private and https://www.cieh.org/media/6502/smoke-free-private-vehicles-regulations-ni-2021.pdf

For further information on the health risks associated with second-hand smoke and how to protect your friends, work colleagues and family - https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/passive-smoking-protect-your-family-and-friends/#:~:text=The%20only%20way%20to%20protect,indoors%20or%20in%20the%20car.

Report: Smoking and Mental Health – An exploration of data in Northern Ireland and scan of policy approaches in the UK and Ireland

maresa.fagan@publichealth.ie — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 10:33:40 +0000

Report: Smoking and Mental Health – An exploration of data in Northern Ireland and scan of policy approaches in the UK and Ireland maresa.fagan@p… Fri, 30/06/2023 - 11:33

Report: Smoking and Mental Health – An exploration of data in Northern Ireland and scan of policy approaches in the UK and Ireland

Mental Health

Tobacco

25 Sep, 2023

Downloads

Smoking and Mental Health – An exploration of data in Northern Ireland and scan of policy approaches in the UK and Ireland

Easy Read Summary: Smoking and Mental Health – An exploration of data in Northern Ireland

This report examined the relationship between tobacco use and mental ill-health in Northern Ireland. It also considered tobacco control policy approaches to this issue across the UK and Ireland.

The evidence was developed in response to a recommendation in the mid-term review of the Department of Health tobacco strategy. The report findings supported the Department’s End of Term Review of the Tobacco Strategy and can inform the content of any successor strategy.

The report found that around one in three people who smoke in Northern Ireland has a possible psychiatric disorder.

Among people with a possible psychiatric disorder in Northern Ireland:

Most have smoked at some time in their lives (60%) 
A third currently smoke 
Most wanted to stop smoking and had tried to stop in the past.

A review of tobacco strategy documents in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales found that:

Most strategies wanted to see measures put in place to stop smoking from causing so much disease and death among people with mental ill health 
People with mental ill health were not always getting the same support to stop smoking
Stopping smoking can help people improve mental health, but not a lot of people knew that, or found it believable
No region had set a target for reducing smoking among people with mental ill-health
Training people who work in the mental health service on how to support people stop smoking was the most common form of service investment
Communications approaches were developing to ensure the stop smoking supports were accessible, appropriate and welcoming for people with mental ill health.

An easy read summary of the report is available here.

Useful contacts and resources

For advice and support on stopping smoking in Northern Ireland - https://www.stopsmokingni.info/

If you have a mental health difficulty, advice on supports is available at: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/mental-health-support

Smoking cessation and mental health – a briefing for front-line staff (HSE)

Findings from the first national conversation on smoking, mental health and recovery (HSE)

Other IPH work on tobacco and mental health

World No Tobacco Day 2023 blog -Tobacco and Mental Health – Untangling the relationship and identifying opportunities to progress policy

Presentation at the European Conference on Tobacco or Health 2023

Report: End of term Review of the Ten-Year Tobacco Control Strategy for Northern Ireland (2012-2022) - Stakeholder Engagement Report

maresa.fagan@publichealth.ie — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 10:11:34 +0000

Report: End of term Review of the Ten-Year Tobacco Control Strategy for Northern Ireland (2012-2022) - Stakeholder Engagement Report maresa.fagan@p… Fri, 30/06/2023 - 11:11

Report: End of term Review of the Ten-Year Tobacco Control Strategy for Northern Ireland (2012-2022) - Stakeholder Engagement Report

Tobacco

25 Sep, 2023

Downloads

End of term Review of the Ten-Year Tobacco Control Strategy for Northern Ireland (2012-2022) Stakeholder Engagement Report

This report presents views shared by stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Ten Year Tobacco Control Strategy in Northern Ireland (2012-2022).

Stakeholder engagement was undertaken by the Institute of Public Health using a structured and facilitated workshop and a post workshop survey. This work informed the end of term review of the 2012-2022 strategy and can help shape any future strategy.

Stakeholders recognised positive changes delivered through the strategy, including a decline in smoking among children and young people, and pregnant women. They also highlighted the progress made in legislation, including the ban on sale of tobacco from vending machines, ban on point-of-sale advertising, standardised cigarette packaging and the ban on smoking in private vehicles where children are present. Progress was also noted in terms of social marketing to engage smokers and development of stop smoking services.

Stakeholders identified some deficits in the delivery of the strategy, including delays in the passage of some legislation due to non-sitting government. Some stakeholders considered that marketing campaigns and service development were underpowered and that the approaches to addressing inequalities in smoking were underdeveloped. Others noted that implementation was vulnerable to the redeployment of resources as part of the pandemic response.

Stakeholders also presented a number of suggestions for future policy development, which are detailed in the main report.

Mind the Gap: Report finds women less active despite high awareness of health benefits of physical activity

maresa.fagan@publichealth.ie — Tue, 02 May 2023 09:22:00 +0000

Mind the Gap: Report finds women less active despite high awareness of health benefits of physical activity maresa.fagan@p… Tue, 02/05/2023 - 10:22

Mind the Gap: Report finds women less active despite high awareness of health benefits of physical activity

Mens Health

Physical Activity

Womens Health

26 Apr, 2023

Downloads

Executive Summary: Mind the Gap - Exploring knowledge about Physical Activity in Ireland and Northern Ireland

Report: Mind the Gap - Exploring knowledge about Physical Activity in Ireland and Northern Ireland

A gender gap in physical activity levels between men and women in Ireland and Northern Ireland has highlighted the need to address barriers to physical activity for women and other population groups.

That’s according to a new report, ‘Mind the Gap – Exploring knowledge about physical activity in Ireland and Northern Ireland’, published by the Institute of Public Health (IPH).

The new report found that despite a high level of awareness about the benefits of physical activity and recommended guidelines, women were less active than men.

The findings are based on surveys exploring how knowledgeable the adult population (18+ years) in Ireland and Northern Ireland is about physical activity, and specifically, its benefits, current guidelines and sources of information.

The surveys were carried out by LucidTalk in 2021, with 1,279 respondents in Ireland (IRE) and 2,223 respondents in Northern Ireland (NI).

Almost half of respondents in Ireland (46%) and a third in Northern Ireland (33%) knew the weekly recommendations to do at least 150 minutes of physical activity, although only around three in 10 across both jurisdictions were physically active five days a week or more.

While the report found that between seven and nine out of 10 people in both jurisdictions were aware of the benefits of physical activity, it identified differences in self-reported activity levels between men and women.

It found that women were less likely to be active and more likely to be inactive than men in both jurisdictions – this was despite high awareness of the benefits of physical activity amongst women.

In Northern Ireland, women were more knowledgeable than men about weekly recommendations for physical activity (37% women v 30% men) but were less active (31% men active for 5+ days; 26% women active for 5+ days).

In Ireland, men were marginally more knowledgeable about weekly recommendations for physical activity (48% v 45%) compared to women and were more active than women (39% men active for 5+ days; 31% women active for 5+ days), the report found.

The findings suggest that knowledge is important but, alone, it may not be enough to support women to take part in activity, so other barriers, such as time, safety, and access to suitable facilities and activities must be understood and addressed.

The 2021 survey also found that across both jurisdictions, close to one in six surveyed were physically inactive and had not undertaken any physical activity at all in the previous week.

Inactivity was higher among women and older people across both jurisdictions, as measured by the number of days people were inactive.

While there was strong awareness in both jurisdictions that inactivity increases the risk of certain conditions, such as heart disease, stroke and depression, fewer knew about the association between inactivity and certain cancers and falls.

An information gap between older and younger age groups was also identified. For example, one third of older people in Northern Ireland (33%) and almost half in Ireland (48%) were aware of the link between physical inactivity and certain cancers, whereas three quarters of younger people were aware of this.

A social gradient regarding physical activity was also evident – the survey found that people from a lower socio-economic group or with a lower level of education were more likely to be inactive and were less knowledgeable about the benefits of physical activity and the risks of inactivity.

The survey also looked at how people sourced information, finding that media, including newspapers, TV, radio and websites, were the most common sources of information about the health benefits of physical activity, although social media and the workplace were also important for younger people.

Commenting on the report, Professor Roger O’Sullivan, IPH Director of Ageing Research and Development, said the findings highlighted the need to understand and address barriers to physical activity in all groups, especially women, and that traditional and new media should be deployed to target all population groups.

“Our findings demonstrate that knowledge of physical activity benefits is important but it does do not always translate into action, especially among women. We also identified an information gap between older and younger age groups and among lower and higher socioeconomic groups. This highlights the need to understand and address barriers to increased physical activity to ensure the needs and interests of the whole population are met,” he said.

“Increasing knowledge of the benefits of physical activity must be a priority, especially simplified messaging on the number of minutes and types of physical activity needed to get benefits. Both traditional and new media should be considered to ensure that as many people in society are reached,” he added.

The full report can be accessed here.

An Executive Summary of the report can be downloaded here.