Gaining health : analysis of policy development in European ...

Chapter 4
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The strategy calls for a twin approach: contributing to
global knowledge of health and disease and the effective
application of such knowledge. It also recognized criticism of
the consultation document’s lack of attention to models for
scientific research for health based on biology, psychology
and sociology, which respondents thought better reflect the
complex nature of human health. It was felt that a research
and development function needed to be put in place in the
health services at national and regional levels.
The Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation
has a remit to contribute to the development of
an effective national strategy for science, technology and
innovation, advising the Government on these issues and
acting as the primary interface between stakeholders and
policy-makers. In 2006, the Council established a task force
to examine the current performance and future potential of
health research in Ireland. The consultation paper prepared
by the task force considered that the 2001 strategy had not
been fully implemented and that the diffusion of responsibility
over a number of government departments led to a lack
of coordination (50). It was therefore proposed that a permanent
forum be established to formulate and implement a
comprehensive health research policy, ensuring interdepartmental
coherence.
Perhaps surprisingly, given the consultation and comments
surrounding the formulation of Making knowledge work for
health, the above-mentioned report seems to focus on linking
hospitals and academia, ensuring clinical researchers and
clinical trials; no mention is made of the need for research
on the determinants of health.
The Institute of Public Health, established in 1998, has a
special position in that it was designed to promote cooperation
across the island. It was also designed to look at
areas not being dealt with elsewhere, which is one reason
it started with a strong equality focus. One of its main functions
is as a population health observatory, acting almost
as a clearing-house collecting available data and linking up
to other data sets to create a “first point of call” for users.
Equally importantly, an attempt is made to facilitate users
in processing and manipulating the data graphically to meet
their own needs.
3.5. Training
Most of the policy documents examined make provision
for training, frequently linked to establishing and funding
relevant posts. The Institute of Public Health has also been
active in meeting new needs for capacity building. This includes
a “Leadership for public health” training programme,
running for five years. Although demanding in terms of
commitment (a full year’s programme with three weeks’
residential training during the year), the programme has attracted
top-level officials.
Training courses of various lengths are offered for HIA,
starting from a half-day introduction. Such courses are usually
oversubscribed.
3.6. Communication and public information/involvement
Specific awareness-building campaigns in relation to NCD
and their risk factors are regularly carried out. From the
documents available to us, considerable effort seems to be
made to prepare material directed at the general public and
at groups in various settings such as colleges and the workplace.
Certain pamphlets are sent to all households. Wide
use is also made of the Internet, although of course this only
reaches those who have access to it.
The monitoring of people’s retention rates of such campaigns
and their knowledge concerning NCD risk factors
indicate that they have been reasonably successful, with the
anti-smoking campaign being particularly successful.
Case studies: policy development in countries for tackling noncommunicable diseases