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Research points
to a better informed public
Evaluation of a range of public
information campaigns produced by the Health Promotion Agency
for Northern Ireland has shown that the public in Northern
Ireland is becoming better informed about many health issues.
This in turn is helping people make healthier choices about
their lifestyles.
Launching its eighth annual report
the Health Promotion Agency reviewed some of the campaigns
undertaken to educate children, young people and adults about
issues vital to their health.
Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive
of the Health Promotion Agency, said: "Research conducted
after the 'Eat well
to keep well' healthy eating campaign showed that 80%
of people in Northern Ireland now know there is a link between
diet and cancer.
"Work on a major public information
campaign on the benefits of folic acid for women was rewarded
when research showed that 85% of women questioned knew about
the benefits of folic acid in helping to prevent spina bifida
in babies and also the best time to take this supplement."
Public information on drugs emphasised
the importance of parents talking to their children about
drugs research showed that 85% of parents with children aged
8-21 interviewed after the campaign thought that it was important
to have accurate drug information available and almost 70%
felt the Agency's booklet, A
guide for parents, was very useful.
Dr Gaffney continued:"The Agency's
work on policy development has continued to progress to a
stage where a number of regional strategies are now in place.
The implementation of the physical activity strategy is up
and running and includes the 'Get
a life, get active' campaign which is part of the 1998-2000
Northern Ireland physical activity strategy action plan.
The Northern Ireland food and nutrition strategy, currently
at the final consultation stage, will be launched in the New
Year.
"There was also a continued demand
for training in health promotion, with many of our short courses
being oversubscribed. The Agency again subsidised course fees
to provide increased opportunity and promote wider accessibility
to its training programme."
In reflecting on another year
of work by the Health Promotion Agency, Dr Brian Gaffney also
emphasised the Agency's commitment to working with others
to ensure the most effective approaches possible are taken
to improve the health of the people of Northern Ireland.
END
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