£9m For Public Health Research

£9m is being invested in research into public health in Northern Ireland, including ageing, children’s health and mental wellbeing.

The funding has been awarded to the UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health Northern Ireland (CoE NI) at Queen’s University Belfast, which was one of the UK’s first Centres of Excellence for public health research.

The Centre was formed to help improve the wellbeing and health of the UK population. It was officially launched in 2008 as part of a £20m investment across the UK towards research into public health issues such as obesity and health inequalities.

The latest round of funding has been received from the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC), the HSC Research and Development Office, the University of Ulster, Queen’s University, and the Atlantic Philanthropies.

Health Minister Edwin Poots officially re-launched the Centre of Excellence.

He said: "It is a testament to the quality of public health research here that the Centre is to receive further investment for the next five years. I congratulate all involved.

"Going forward, the aim is to build additional strength in tackling the public health issues affecting both the young and the older population."

The Director of the Centre of Excellence for Public Health NI, Professor Frank Kee, said: "Issues such as obesity and an increasingly ageing population are just some of the factors that are set to impact hugely on society in years to come. Thanks to the funding from all of our sponsors, The UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health Northern Ireland can continue to build capacity in research that will help counter these problems and extend the evidence base that will inform policy and practice in public health."

Queen's University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Peter Gregson added: "At Queen’s we are committed to undertaking research which benefits the community. This funding is recognition of the vital work of the Centre over the last five years. It will ensure Queen’s can continue to work with its partners on an integrated approach to health and social services, help to tackle the inequalities in health in the community and to study the economic, social and biological factors which cause chronic diseases."

(IT/MH)