4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway

About the Centre for Cross Border Studies and
the Institute of Public Health in Ireland
The Centre for Cross Border Studies, based in Armagh and Dublin, was set up in
September 1999 to research and develop co-operation across the Irish border in
education, health, business, public administration, communications, agriculture,
the environment and a range of other practical areas. It is a joint initiative by
Queen’s University Belfast, Dublin City University and the Workers Educational
Association (Northern Ireland), and is financed by the EU Peace Programmes and
the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs’ Reconciliation Fund. In 2001 the Centre
published research reports on cross-border telecommunications, cross-border
health services, all-Ireland co-operation to tackle disadvantage in education, EU
cross-border funding before and after the Good Friday Agreement, cross border
co-operation in local government and cross-border co-operation between local
history societies. In February 2002 it published a research report on the crossborder
dimension of the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease crisis.
The Centre has also organized a wide range of North-South and cross-border
conferences, seminars and study days in the areas of agriculture, health,
education, European co-operation, tourism, ICT, telecoms, citizenship, animal
health, currency issues and business research.
The Institute of Public Health in Ireland has been set up to promote North –
South co-operation for public health. Established by the Department of Health,
Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland and the Department of
Health and Children in Ireland, with support from the Royal College of Physicians,
the Institute was formally launched in November 1999. Its remit includes
research, information, training and policy advice.
The Institute promotes a broad view of public health, recognising the importance
of multisectoral working to address the social, environmental and economic
determinants of physical and mental health.Health strategies, North and South,
indicate a key role for the Institute in tackling health inequalities; strengthening
partnerships for health; contributing to public health information and
surveillance; developing health impact assessment; strengthening public health
capacity and leadership; and networking nationally and internationally.
The Institute has organised conferences, carried out research and developed an
all-Ireland leadership programme. Its publications include reports on Partnerships
for Health, European Public Health, Health Impact Assessment, the National Anti-
Poverty Strategy and Inequalities in Mortality.
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