How we improve health - Departments of Public Health

Health can improve through reducing inequalities, improving housing, maximising employment, effective education, healthier lifestyles and family/ community action.  

Healthy Ireland is the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of Ireland over the coming generation. It reflects the international experience of a new commitment to public health with a focus on prevention.

Public Health professionals contribute to health improvement by gathering the evidence on how the health of the public can be improved and working towards making better health available to all.  See the Healthy Ireland Framework 2013-2025

Key activities include:

  • Surveillance and monitoring of diseases and their risk factors
  • Provide the evidence and advocate for decision makers to carry out changes which will make the healthier choice easier
  • Health Impact Assessment: The examination of a policy, programme or project: 
    • to assess its impact on health and health inequalities and
    • to suggest ways to reduce any negative effects and increase any positive effects

Public Health professionals are involved in a wide range of health improvement initiatives, for example:

See more on Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

Our Publications

Access Departments of Public Health Health Improvement publications on Lenus.