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Recognition for HPA in fight against major diseases
Leaders
of a European health programme, designed to share experiences,
information and evidence in the fight against major diseases,
will today (Friday 27 February) meet in Belfast to recognise
the key involvement and contribution of the Health Promotion
Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) in this work.
The World
Health Organization’s CINDI (Countrywide
Integrated Noncommunicable Diseases Intervention) programme
has a membership of 28 countries and the HPA, representing
the whole of the UK as a key ‘demonstration’ area,
has been a key player for almost 15 years.
Over this time the HPA, on behalf of the Department of Health,
Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), has shared experience
and information on major health promotion issues such as
smoking, physical activity and nutrition with colleagues
from the CINDI membership.
The CINDI
directors are holding their board meeting here for the first
time and as part of the agenda a
formal ‘Plan
of Cooperation’ will be jointly signed to recognise the
HPA’s contribution so far and confirm its future commitment
to the programme.
Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA, said: “We
have
been involved with the programme since 1989 and have, together
with other members, helped develop a wide range
of work. CINDI is a vital part of the WHO’s policy framework
for health, the mission of which is to establish cooperative
projects and programmes to help prevent and control noncommunicable
diseases and promote healthier lifestyles. The priorities of
the programme include reducing smoking, unhealthy nutrition,
alcohol abuse, physical inactivity and psycho-social stress.”
The CINDI programme in Northern Ireland is set within the
context of Investing for Health, the public health strategy
which sets out the vision for improving the health of the
people and reducing inequalities.
Dr Gaffney continued: “We
have certainly benefited greatly from being a member of
CINDI and we hope that other
member countries have also gained vital information and knowledge
from us. We are grateful for the support we have received
from DHSSPS in our work with CINDI and I am looking forward
to many more years of commitment and involvement with this
important programme.”
END
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As from 1 April 2009 all Health Promotion Agency responsibilities have been transferred to the