Health and Medical Science

 

Universities Involved

Trinity College Dublin
Queen's University Belfast

Department(s)

Department of Community Health andGeneral Practice

Project Title / Description

Collaborative paper. "Secondary prevention of coronary heart disease ­ we know a bit more about what doesn't work".

The collaboration involved writing and editorial for the British Medical Journal. The Editorial was commissioned by the BMJ. The objectives were to review current knowledge about delivery of secondary preventive care in general practice for patients with coronary heart disease, based on the work of both authors, and others.

The editorial was published in 1999. (BMJ 1999;318:1499­1500).

Contacts

Dr Fiona Bradley
fbradley@tcd.ie

Dr Margaret Cupples
Dept of general practice, QUB

 


Universities Involved

Trinity College Dublin
Queen's University Belfast

Department(s)

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Project Title / Description

Institution of an all­Ireland Association of Lecturers in Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting in Ireland.

This initiative commenced in November 1998. A letter was sent by the School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, TCD, to all heads of schools and departments of nursing in all third level institutions in Ireland, inviting them to join in a collaborative effort designed to lead the inauguration of an association.

Meetings have been held quarterly since then and a Memorandum of Association has been drawn up and accepted. The Inaugural General meeting was held in February 2000 in TCD, and the first committee was elected.

The aims of the association are

  • To promote the advancement of nursing, midwifery and health visiting as professional disciplines.
  • To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas for the advancement of nursing, midwifery and health visiting scholarship.
  • To foster scholarship and research in nursing, midwifery and health visiting.
  • To foster the dissemination and utilisation of knowledge to guide practice development.

Future Plans

The first item on the agenda for the new Committee to investigate is the setting up of a joint North­South academic nursing journal.

Funding Bodies

No funding has yet been sought or received and the costs of the meetings have been borne by the host institution. Considerable funding will be required to set up and maintain the publishing of the proposed journal.

Development Potential

There is considerable potential to develop this group into a major force in Ireland. Links forged between University staff in the North and South will also lead to more collaborative research projects in the future.


Universities Involved

Trinity College Dublin
Queen's University Belfast

Department(s)

Department of Pharmacology

Other Universities

University of Coimbra (Portugal)
University of Gronigen (Holland)
Humbolt University (Berlin, Germany)
Three other research (non­university) bodies

Project Title / Description

Pharmaceutical care of the elderly

Contact was made as a result of years of annual joint seminars between the schools of pharmacy in TCD and QUB. The project started in 1996 and will be complete mid 2000. No new collaborators are required. The objectives of the project were to assess some outcome measurement tools, to examine the capacity of community pharmacies to deliver pharmaceutical care to elderly patients, to compare the delivery of pharmaceutical care under different health service conditions. Analysis and data collection are still underway. Resources required: Research assistant, database and statistical consultancy, IT support and accommodation. The project was funded in part by the EU Bio­med programme which facilitated meetings of the research group and support for the research assistant.

Contacts

Dr Martin Henman
Tel + 353 1 608 2826/608 2821
mhenman@tcd.ie

 

 

Development Potential

Yes, through the link with QUB.


Universities Involved

University College Dublin
University of Ulster, Jordanstown

Department(s)

Health Sciences/Learning Disabilities

Other Universities

SUNY, Albany, New York

Project Title / Description

Learning Disabilities

The project aims to develop university based inter­disciplinary teaching for staff working with people who have developed disabilities and their families.

Contacts

Prof. Roy McConkey
Queen's University Belfast
Tel 048 90245133

Dr P McCallion
SUNY, Albany NY

 


Universities Involved

Dublin City University
Queen's University Belfast

Department(s)

Sport Science and Health

Other Universities

Edge Hill, England

Project Title / Description

Collaboration between Dr Kieran Moran (Sport Science and Health, DCU), Dr Dierdre Scully (Psychology, QUB) and Dr Evelyn Carnegie (Sport Science, Edge Hill, England) into:

Identification of optimum strategies for motor learning using advanced computer applications.

Contacts

Dr Kieran Moran
Tel + 353 1 704 8011
Kieran.moran@dcu.ie

 

 


Universities Involved

National University of Ireland, Galway
Queen's University Belfast

Department(s)

Health Promotion

Project Title / Description

Promoting Positive Mental Health in Rural Communities

This project aims to promote cross­border co­operation concerning the promotion of mental health and well­being in rural communities in Co. Donegal and Co. Derry/ Londonderry. The project is funded by ADM/ CPA programme for peace and reconciliation.

A feasibility study was undertaken (McCreedy, 1999) to explore the most appropriate mechanisms for co­operation across the two community based studies. This study which was funded by peace and reconciliation recommended that the two areas were suitable for linkage in terms of social and economic profile and level of community development.

The aim was to develop mental health promotion strategies targeting depression and suicide that will empower communities in addressing shared mental health needs on a cross­community basis. To implement and systematically evaluate a model of mental health promotion practice based on community participation principles. And finally to establish cross­border co­operation with a view to sharing information, experiences and expertise in promoting health and social well­being in rural settings. Following consolidation
of joint planning health, to pro­actively establish linkages between the two communities through activities which target jointly the following groups:

a. Young people (15­24) including both in­school programmes and out of school Outreach programmes.
b. Farming Families.
c. Men and Women within the community (including women's groups), particularly parents.

Each of the target groups will be engaged in the planning and organisation of the intervention programmes, which will include a range of activities over a 12 month period.

A planned series of within­and across community education workshops, promoting positive mental health training programmes and information, and awareness raising activities. These are dependent on the needs of specific groups. These programmes will address skill development around issues of personnel development, stress and coping skills, self­efficacy, social support and community empowerment.

Documentation of community engagements, the process of programme planning and delivery, providing a written descriptive base for project replication.

The outcome should:
a. Assess the impact of each element of the intervention phase, including participants appraisal of the programme.
b. Assess the outcome of the intervention in terms of changes in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practises at community level.
c. The degree of participation and ownership of the project by the local community.
d. The sustainability of the programme in terms of inter­agency support and re­orientation of services to local needs.
e. The dissemination of findings in terms of policy and practice implications.

The project ran for one year. It began in September 1999 and this phase ceased in August 2000.

Contacts

Dr Margaret Barry, NUI Galway
Tel + 353 91 750319/750547
Margaret.barry@nuigalway.ie

Ms Mary O'Neill
Rural health and Social Wellbeing Project Group
Tel 04890 30133/ 301308

Ms Anne Sheridan
"Mind Matters" project
Tel + 353 74 44996/26543

 

Dr Dermot O'Reilly
Tel 048 903 31463
hsru@qub.ac.uk

 

 


Universities Involved

National University of Ireland, Galway
Queen's University Belfast

Department(s)

Health Science

Other Universities

Many European and international Universities

Project Title/Description

A study of the 'Health Behaviour in school aged Children'.

The HBSC is a World Health Organisation (Europe) collaborative cross national study which aims to, increase understanding and monitor health and related behaviours among young people, gain an insight into the social and familial contexts of such behaviours and influence the development of programmes and policies to promote health. It also promotes cross­disciplinary research through international networking of health researchers.

The study was begun in 1982 and data collection takes place every four years. The last round, in 1998, was the first to include both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Each collaborating country is individually funded, usually by the Ministry's of Health and/or Education (The Health Promotions unit of the department of Health and Children in the Republic of Ireland). The first international report to include comparative data from both countries, based on the 1998 data has been published by W.H.O. and can also be found
on the WWW at http://www.ruhbc.ed.ac.uk/hbsc

Contacts

Dr S NicGabhainn, (ROL)
Tel + 353 91 750319
Fax + 353 91 750577
saoire.nicgabhainn@nuigalway.ie

Dr Grace McGuinness, (North Ireland)
Tel 04890 311611
Fax 04890 311711

Dr Candance Currie, International Co­ordinator
Tel + 44 131 6506192
Fax + 44 131 6506902
candance.currie@ed.ac.uk

Development Potential

There is scope for further and more detailed comparative work between Northern Ireland and the Republic. There could also be meaningful intervention conducted and the research administration could be more tightly co­ordinated.


Universities Involved

University College Cork
Trinity College Dublin
University of Ulster, Coleraine

Department(s)

Division of Nutritional Sciences
Department of Food Science and Technology
Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health

Project Title / Description

The North­South Ireland Food Consumption Survey

Start: 1996 End: 2000

First contact

Through the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (a formal association of the academic Nutrition Units of University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin and the University of Ulster, Coleraine established 1994 to undertake joint initiatives in Nutrition education and research.)

Project objectives

To establish a database on food consumption, lifestyle, health indicators and attitudes to food and health for a representative sample of the 18­64 year old adult population in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Outcomes

This large survey provides an extensive database on food consumption, lifestyle, health indicators and attitudes to food and health for a representative sample of the 18­64 year old adult population in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and is one of the most comprehensive of its kind in Europe. The main findings will be published in 2000 in a major report and in scientific papers in international journals.The new scientific knowledge about the relationships between food and nutrient intakes, lifestyle, health status and attitudes will provide up to date information for use in nutrition policy planning by health authorities (e.g. in the development of dietary guidelines and health promotion strategies) and for use by industry in food product development and promotion. It will also provide to regulatory agencies data essential for the monitoring of food chemical (e.g. additives, pesticides, packaging materials and contaminants) intake under recently adopted EU Directives.

Funding

Total cost approx. IR£0.9 million; jointly funded by the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Food Safety.

Authority of Ireland, Dublin, the Northern Ireland Industry and Technology Unit and the food industry.

Contacts

Prof. Albert Flynn, UCC
Tel + 353 21 902649
Fax + 353 21 270244
a.flynn@ucc.ie

Prof. JJ Strain, UU
Tel 04870 324795
Fax 04870 324965
jj.strain@ulst.ac.uk

Prof. MJ Gibney, TCD
Tel + 353 1 608 2102
Fax + 353 1 454 2043
m.gibney@tcd.ie

Business Involvement

A total of 13 Food Companies are partners in the project.

Development Potential

Yes.

1. Detailed analysis of the database will provide new scientific evidence on the relationships between food and nutrient intakes, lifestyle, health status and attitudes. It will also provide new scientific information to regulatory agencies for the mandatory (additives and pesticides) and non­ mandatory (packaging materials and contaminants) monitoring of food chemical intake under recently adopted EU Directives, for use in nutrition policy planning by health authorities and for use by industry in food product development and promotion.

2.Establishing North­South Ireland Food Consumption Databases for other population groups e.g. elderly, children and adolescents.


Universities Involved

University College Cork
Trinity College Dublin
University of Ulster, Coleraine

Department(s)

Division of Nutritional Sciences
Department of Food Science and Technology
Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health

Project Title / Description

The Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance Established: 1994

First contact

Through the Nutrition Society Irish Section

Project objectives

The Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA) is a formal association of the academic Nutrition Units of University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin and the University of Ulster, Coleraine which was established in 1994 with the aim of undertaking joint initiatives in Nutrition education and research.

Outcomes

1. Research

  • Institute of European Food Studies, based in TCD, with funding from Industry, Government and EU for a programme of collaborative research on EU consumer attitudes to food, nutrition and health, improved methods for estimating food chemical exposure, and multi­disciplinary aspects of EU food and nutrition policy (1995 to date).
  • Metabolism and health effects of food lipids (1995­1998, funding from EU FAIR).
  • Metabolism and health effects minerals and trace elements (1996­1999, funding from EU FAIR).
  • Metabolism and health effects vitamins and phytochemicals (1995­1998, funding from EU FAIR).
  • Foodcue
    This project started in 1996 and was completed in 1999. Contact was made through IUNA. The main objectives of the project were to provide data on the roles of dietary copper in health and disease. The main outcomes and activities were papers, refereed abstracts, meetings and reports. A total of 1.2m Euros was provided by the EC.
  • Nutrifish
    This project began in 1995 and was completed in 1999. Contact was made through IUNA. The project has been completed. The main objectives were to investigate the health promoting properties of the microencapsulated fish oil added to various foodstuffs. Papers, refereed abstracts, meetings, reports and newsletters were the main outcomes and activities. The project was funded by the EC and Roche to the total value of over 3m Euros.

2. Education initiatives

  • The IUNA is currently developing an inter­institutional MSc in EU Food Regulatory Affairs targeted to personnel in the food industry and food regulatory agencies (1999­2001, funded by the EU Leonardo da Vinci Programme).

Masterclass Programme in Nutrition ­ annual programme which brings together all of the advanced undergraduate students in Human Nutrition from each of the three member Universities for an annual Masterclass Programme in Nutrition.

Contacts

Prof. Albert Flynn, UCC
Tel + 353 21 902649
Fax + 353 21 270244
a.flynn@ucc.ie

Prof. JJ Strain, UU
Tel + 01265 324795
Fax + 01265 324965
jj.strain@ulst.ac.uk

Prof. MJ Gibney, TCD
Tel + 353 1 608 2102
Fax + 353 1 454 2043
m.gibney@tcd.ie

Business Involvement

Over 20 Food Companies involved in the projects.

Development Potential

Yes.

1. Research ­ further research collaboration is planned in a number of areas.
2. Education ­ a number of inter­institutional initiatives are planned.


Universities Involved

University College Dublin
Queen's University Belfast
University College Cork
National University of Ireland, Galway
Trinity College Dublin
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Department(s)

Public Health Medicine and Epidemiology

Project Title / Description

General collaboration between public health departments.

The departments of public health medicine/ epidemiology of the six Universities (UCD, ULC, UCG, TCD, RCSI, QUB) meet about twice a year to discuss/co­ordinate curriculum changes, develop joint research programmes.

Ongoing project.
Self funding for meetings.

Contacts

Prof. Leslie Daly, UCD
Prof. Alun Evans, QUB
Tel 04890 240503/231907

Prof. Ivan Perry, UCC
Tel + 353 21 904234/6
i.perry@ucc.ie

Prof. Celily Kelleher, UCG
Tel + 353 91 52 4411/5700
celily.Kelleher@ucg.ie

 

Prof. Ian Graham, RCSI
Tel + 353 1 402 2434/475 0785
igraham@rcsi.ie

Prof. Tom O'Dowd, TCD
Tel + 353 1 608 1087
todowd@tcd.ie

 

Development Potential

Research collaboration on a large project is under discussion.


Universities Involved

University College Dublin
Queen's University Belfast

Department(s)

Public Health Medicine and Epidemiology

Project Title / Description

Homocysteine and vascular disease: from etiology to prevention.

To determine role of homocystene in etiology of vascular disease through a multi­centre case­control study. To
examine the role of homocysteine in the prognosis of vascular disease.

Funding under EU project Dec 1994­1997.

Analysis was completed in late 1999.

Contact made through long­term relationship between UCD, RCSI and QUB.

Contacts

Prof. Leslie Daly, UCD
Prof. Alun Evans, QUB
Tel 04890 240503/231907

Prof. Alun Evans, QUB
Tel 04890 240503/231907

 


Universities Involved

University of Ulster, Coleraine

Trinity College Dublin

Department(s)

Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health (NICHE)

School of Biomedical Sciences

Project Title / Description

Nutraceuticals for a Healthier Life: n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids and 5-Methyl-tetra-hydro-folate (NUHEAL).

 

Start 1998

Finish 2002

 

Contact made via existing collaborations

No further collaborators are possible under EC contract

 

Objectives:

 

1          To establish the acute absorption of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF: a naturally occurring form of the vitamin folic acid) in comparison with an equivalent dose of folic acid in short term human intervention studies.

2          To investigate the quantitative response of the functional marker, plasma homocysteine, to different levels of synthetic folic acid and 5-MTHF in human intervention studies.

 

Milestones and expected results:

 

1          Establish the acute absorption of 5-MTHF in comparison with an equivalent dose of folic acid.

2          Determine the relative bioavailability of 5-MTHF compared to folic acid. This will be established by examining the homocysteine-lowering effect of increasing doses of 5-MTHF compared with similar levels of folic acid. In addition the minimum effective and the optimal doses of 5-MTHF required to lower plasma homocysteine will be determined.

Funding EC 5th Framework programme.

Contacts

Prof. John Scott, TCD

Tel + 353 1 608 1974

Prof. Sean Strain

NICHE

University of Ulster, Coleraine, BT52 1AA

Tel 04870 324795

Fax 04870 323023

jj.strain@ulst.ac.uk

 

 

Prof. P Morrissey

Dept of Nutrition

University College Cork

Tel + 353 21 902406

Fax +353 21 270244

p.morrissey@ucc.ie

Prof. M Gibney

Trinity Centre for Health Sciences

St James Hospital, Dublin 8

Tel + 353 1 608 2102

Fax + 353 1 454 2043

mgibney@tcd.ie

 


Universities Involved

University of Ulster, Coleraine

University College Cork

Department(s)

Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health (NICHE)

School of Biomedical Sciences

Project Title / Description

Effect of copper in the food chain on human health ‘FOODCUE’.

 

Start 1996

Finish 1999

 

Aims

 

To provide precise information on the dietary requirements for dietary copper.

 

To elucidate the balanced interactions that occur within the whole diet with respect to copper.

 

The project includes human supplementation and dietary manipulation studies together with in vivo and in vitro studies on copper bioavailability and absorption.

 

Oxidant and antioxidant status and biomarkers of cardiovascular and bone health are being assessed.

Project funded by EC (4th Framework programme)

Contacts

Prof A Flynn, UCC

Tel + 353 21 902649

Fax + 353 21 270244

a.flynn@ucc.ie

Prof Sean Strain

NICHE

University of Ulster Coleraine, BT52 1AA

Tel 04870 324795

Fax 04870 323023

jj.strain@ulst.ac.uk

 

 

Prof P Morrissey

Dept of Nutrition

University College Cork

Tel + 353 21 902406

Fax +353 21 270244

p.morrissey@ucc.ie

Prof M Gibney

Trinity Centre for Health Sciences

St James Hospital

Dublin 8

Tel + 353 1 608 2102

Fax + 353 1 454 2043

mgibney@tcd.ie

 

Development Potential

Project is now completed.

 


 

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