Hi Guys

The old grey matter has been pretty busy this week and i've tried to piece some pieces of the jigsaw together. It all started on tuesday reading an article on the back page of the Irish Times Health supplement http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2013/0129/1224329390088.html, basically outlining that we're wasting vast amounts of money on promoting health without reaping real rewards, ie informing and frighteneing people about unhealthy behaviours is not managing to reach those in lower socioeconomic groups who are most at risk of ill health and as a result those behaviours don't change and health inequalities persist. This was demonstrated clearly by the stats relating to the incidence of cancer in lower socio economic groups and particularly cancers known to be linked with unhealthy lifestyles.
So today there's a fanfare about new images on cigarette packages, somehow the policy makers believe that these images will be more effective than the audiovisual tv advertisements we are subjected to demonstrating the effects of smoking, drinking to excess, being overweight.....
Another relatively new program was introduced by the government this week I think, called Momentum, where those on social welfare are encouraged to avail of specialised training to help them reenter the workforce. Looking into the courses on offer in my local area they are all in the area of ecommerce and digital technology. Many of the courses on offer to job seekers appear to be in the area of healthcare/chilcare and computers. I'm sure they appeal to some people, but not to everyone and I know beggars can't be choosers, but is there any point in funding courses for the sake of it, ie for someone to study something they really have no intention of pursuing as a career, which they have no passion or interest in just so they're doing something!
My suggestion is prompted by two very interesting lectures I attended in the RCSI, free mini med series which dealt with the importance of exercise and the multiple benefits that incorporating exercise into our lifestyles has on our health. If you want to see this very clearly try this youtube clip even the first couple of minutes, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo
So it's quite clear that exercise in addition a range of other lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, moderate drinking, social engagement is extremely beneficial for all aspects of health, mental and physical. If these messages could be effectively delivered to those in the lower socio economic classes and if those in this group could be actively facilitated to put them into practice, huge health benefits could be realised and as a consequence reduced costs and stresses on our health system .
My suggestion is that as soon as someone becomes unemployed they are offered participation in a health education program, this could incorporate talks, healthy cooking classes, exercise classes, first aid, smoking cessation, stress management and reduction, mindfulness and mediation as a start. This option could also be extended to those who are unable to work due to illness or disability , which by the way is increasing at an alarming rate.The number of people who receive disability benefits in Ireland is above the OECD average, Ireland now has the third highest number of people receiving disability benefits, 2.8 % compared with an OECD average of 1.5 %.
Delivery of these classes could provide employment to nursing and allied health professionals among others who are struggling to find employment in this country.
Worth a try , what do you think?