A major new initiative, aimed at improving our general standard of health, is being launched today, Monday 13th of June by four government ministers with a consultation day with public health professionals, relevant departments and agencies, academics, community and voluntary organisations and others taking place in the Royal College of Physicians, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Dr James Reilly, Minister for Health, will be joined by Frances Fitzgerald, the Minister for Children, and Ministers of State; Róisín Shortall and Kathleen Lynch at this important event in Dublin city centre which will lead to the development of a new public health policy.

The new policy, once published, will set out the Government’s long-term vision for the health and well-being of the population. The aim is to help people live healthier and more fulfilling lives and to create social conditions that ensure good health, on equal terms for the entire population.

On the topic of the harm caused by alcohol misuse in Ireland, Minister of State with Responsibility for Primary Care Róisín Shortall said “A sustained multi-sectoral approach to the alcohol epidemic, backed by a strong political and societal consensus, is required to reduce alcohol consumption levels” . She also emphasized the central role that primary care services will play in prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.