As we head towards the end of 2023, I am delighted to share some of our key highlights from this year, building on the commitment shown by all our staff, locally in CHOs and nationally, in promoting health behaviour change. Chronic disease prevention is a critical component in creating a sustainable shift to deliver healthcare. We know that at least 30% of cancers and 80% of heart disease and diabetes could be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, poor diet and physical inactivity. The diagram below illustrates how chronic disease is impacting our population and our services.
HSE Chief Executive Office, Bernard Gloster launched the Healthy Ireland Implementation Plan 2023-2027 as part of this year’s Healthy Ireland Conference in Dublin which will guide us into the coming years to deliver on Healthy Ireland for our staff and for the public.
Our Policy Priority Programmes, in conjunction with a range of internal and external stakeholders, continued to deliver a full range of initiatives in the areas of Tobacco Free Ireland, Healthy Eating Active Living, Alcohol and Mental Health, Education & Training and Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy.
The Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, presented 108 tobacco free campus awards to services across the country in September. The Dáil vote in favour of banning the sale of e-cigarettes to people under the age of 18 will support us as we continue to work towards a Tobacco Free Ireland as will the increased investment in free NRT.
Our Healthy Eating Active Living Programme, in conjunction with the Irish Heart Foundation, hosted the Happy Heart Healthy Eating Awards in November. This event recognised catering facilities across our service who are striving to improve healthy food choices on their menus for staff and visitors.
Our 2022 Health & Wellbeing annual report provides a comprehensive update on the various health and wellbeing activities throughout 2022.
I was particularly delighted to see our colleagues recognised for their hard work at this year’s Irish Health Awards. Tobacco Free Ireland and CHO colleagues as well as our Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programmes won awards for their work on the Stop Smoking Service providing free NRT and the Free Home STI testing service.
If you are out walking or just relaxing over the break, I would encourage you to have a listen to our HSE Talking Health & Wellbeing podcast series. The series has been a great success, covering a full range of topics from physical activity to mental health.
In conclusion, I would like to thank our internal and external partners for their support and enthusiasm throughout the year.
I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year.
