Healthy workplaces are key to a Healthy Ireland
Minister for Health Promotion, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, TD, and Minister for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen, TD, have launched a public consultation on a new Healthy Workplace Framework.
The link to the consultation is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HealthyWorkplaceFramework– and will be open until the 19th May 2017. The aim of the consultation is to gather the views of stakeholders on priority issues to be addressed in the framework which is intended to provide flexible guidance that can be adapted to any workplace setting to help create and sustain healthy workplaces throughout Ireland. In addition to the online survey, workshops are scheduled for Limerick on 10th May and Sligo on the 17th May. To register https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VV25FYS.
Minister Corcoran Kennedy said “we know work is good for our health and the workplace offers the perfect opportunity to promote health to a large audience. With almost two million people in employment in Ireland, this message can reach over half the population”.
The Minister went on to say that, “Working in partnership with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation reflects the core principles and ethos of Healthy Ireland, which is about government and wider society taking steps towards making Ireland a healthier and prosperous nation”.
Minister Breen acknowledged that “significant progress has been made in recent years in relation to safety in the workplace through legislation and enforcement, which is evident with the reduction in workplace accidents. However, the two main causes of workplace ill-health now are musculoskeletal disorders and stress, which present new challenges”.
Minister Breen went on to say “we have a particular challenge with the large number of small businesses in Ireland and the new framework will need to address this by reflecting on best practice in other countries and incorporating positive health messages within Health and Safety”. The Minister acknowledged the commitment of his Department in supporting the development of the Healthy Workplace Framework, stating that, “a healthy workforce benefits all of society and contributes to economic growth as well as improved health outcomes”.
HSE has launched a new website for the public on alcohol
No matter how much you drink, find out how it affects your health and mental wellbeing at www.askaboutalcohol.ie, a new website from the HSE
The HSE has launched a new website for the public on alcohol – about how much we’re drinking, how it affects us healthwise, and how we can gain more by drinking less.
Speaking at the launch this morning, Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, HSE National Director for Health & Wellbeing said, “This is the first HSE website that provides dedicated information about alcohol risk and offers support and guidance to anyone who wants to cut back on their drinking.
Comprehensive surveys show that harmful drinking patterns have become the norm for many people in Ireland, while awareness of the significant risk associated with these drinking patterns remains low. The HSE, in providing a wide range of health and related services, has insight into the impact of alcohol harm nationally. Whether it is through the well-known ED experience or right through inpatient and mental health services, our experts are well-placed to engage with the public to advise and support individuals in making clear and informed choices.”
www.askaboutalcohol.ie has been created to provide authoritative information source on alcohol risk to enable everyone to manage their own health better. It is also designed to work in tandem with public health legislation and planned regulatory changes on alcohol labelling, availability and pricing.
Launching the new website Minister Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy said, “I am delighted that we now have a high-quality and engaging source of evidence-based information on alcohol, provided by the HSE in partnership with our wider health community. Giving people information on the risks associated with alcohol is of huge value, yet if we want to see positive changes in our drinking habits then we have to make healthier choices about consumption. The measures in the Public Health Alcohol Bill will help create a supportive environment for making healthier choices when it comes to alcohol. Ultimately, together, we want to reduce the enormous burden of alcohol related harm on Irish families.”
The HSE’s Ask About Alcohol communications campaign will feature supporting promotional materials, social media content, radio advertisements and a digital marketing campaign to take place across the coming months.
Irish Heart Foundation: Campaign for Junk Brands to Stop Targeting Kids
The Irish Heart foundation are asking people to sign a petition, share the campaign and help them build a movement that calls on junk brands to Stop Targeting Kids.Click here to sign petition
The problem There is unequivocal evidence of a causal link between the marketing of junk brands and childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is a serious problem in Ireland. One in four school children is overweight or obese. In terms of childhood obesity, too much focus has been placed on the personal responsibility of parents and children.
The Targeting Social media was supposed to be about making friends, but because of the lack of digital regulation of marketing, platforms have become large advertising billboards. This is worrying - 7-16 year olds spend approximately 3 hours a day online and yet there is only weak voluntary self regulation by industry.
Junk food and drinks brands heavily market to children and so we have a duty in this digital age to protect our kids when they go online. Partial regulation of marketing to children on television and radio was introduced in Ireland by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. In 2013 because many politicians, parents and other members of the public shared these concerns.
Health Promotion Officer, Asthma Society of Ireland
Job Specification
Title: Health Promotion Officer
Reports to: Chief Executive
Location: Asthma Society of Ireland, Amiens Street, Dublin 1
Hours: Full-time (37 hours / week)
Contract: 1 year fixed term contract
Salary: €32,000 per annum
The Asthma Society runs a range of health promotion programmes designed to help people with asthma manage their condition effectively. These include a free adviceline, pharmacy clinics and a schools programme. We also provide education and training for healthcare workers on asthma-related issues. We are seeking a Health Promotion Officer to join our dynamic team. This is an opportunity for the right candidate to work for a great charitable organization.
To apply please send your CV and a cover letter to hr@asthma.ie before 5pm on 24th February 2017.
For more information click here
SAOR©: Screening and Brief Interventions for Alcohol Use
SAOR training (Screening and Brief Interventions for Alcohol Use) taking place in Galway City on February 23rd. This one day programme aims to enable staff to have a short, structured and helpful conversation with people in relation to their alcohol use. This course is delivered through the Western Drug and Alcohol Task Force.
Who should attend?
Staff who have occasion to ask people about their alcohol use. This could include workers from social care, family support, employment support, vocational training, criminal justice, probation, education, housing support and general health care services.
Dates & Venues:
February 23rd, Galway City
Course Description:
A brief intervention for alcohol use is a short, helpful conversation that focuses on assessing, and if necessary, assists a person to consider and alter their alcohol consumption. Brief interventions have shown to be effective in initiating change in alcohol consumption for people with mild to moderate alcohol-related problems and in helping people with more significant difficulties to access specialised alcohol treatment services. The SAOR Model has been adopted by the HSE as the model-of-choice for delivering brief interventions for alcohol use.
For more details or to book a place email: training@wrdtf.ie
