Policy

The IPH policy team supports the development, review and implementation of policies relevant to health and health inequalities on the island of Ireland. Facilitating meaningful and effective North South cooperation is a core activity of our policy work.

Policy making and public health

Making Life Better and Healthy Ireland are the broad policy frameworks for improving population  health in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. These frameworks seek to improve health through action on the social determinants of health, health behaviours and reconfiguration of health services. Public health policies operating under these frameworks, such as those addressing smoking, obesity, alcohol and physical activity, all aim to redress deep-seated health inequalities and rising levels of chronic disease.

Activities

The Policy team supports evidence-informed policy making at all stages of the policy cycle. Our activities include evidence synthesis /reviews, consultations, health impact assessments and evaluations. Policy team respond to public consultations to maximise the impact of policies outside the health sector. Policy team facilitates the operation of the North South Alcohol Policy Advisory Group and currently contribute to government policies on obesity, tobacco, breastfeeding, healthy workplaces and child wellbeing. We also contribute to EU funded projects relevant to public health.