Sláintecare Healthy Communities

Sláintecare Healthy Communities (SHC) is a programme to improve health and wellbeing in communities in Ireland where there are health inequalities.

Health inequalities are differences in health between different groups of people. They can be caused by social and economic factors, as well as the place itself.

The programme follows a place-based approach. This means that we try to understand issues within a community. We then collaborate with other community groups to enhance the health and well-being of the people living there.

24 communities across Ireland

The SHC Programme has been rolled out across 24 communities across Ireland. These include both city and rural communities.

The HSE helps with:

• Stop Smoking Services
• Parenting Programmes
• Community Food and Food Poverty
• Social Prescribing
• Making Every Contact Count (MECC)

Other government departments, including the local authority, are working to tackle the broader determinants of health, such as social, economic, and environmental factors, that have a significant impact on an individual's health and well-being.

The programme hopes to reach other areas across the country in the future.

What it means for the communities

We offer programmes to help the health and wellbeing of people in the community we work with. These are programmes to encourage healthier lifestyle behaviours. 

We deliver some of the services ourselves. Others are delivered by local delivery partners and community organisations working in the communities. 

To find information about the programmes visit Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programmes