15.1 The concept of health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease” should form the basis of public policy on health.
15.2 There is a need for awareness that the health care deliver service is not the most important element in achieving the best possible health status for the population. Support for people in taking personal responsibility for health and a commitment to address the wider determinants of health are the most important requirements.
15.3 The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.”
15.4 The Green Party is committed to the goal of equity of outcomes in health as well as to fairness in opportunities and services for health.
15.5 Health policy must be based on the principle that sustainable human health is founded on the health of this earth and all that lives in it.
15.6 In order to achieve continuous improvement we need to agree what our goals are, measure where we stand now and see how changes in policy and practice can bring about improvements that we can see and measure. The World Health Organization “Framework and Standards for Country Health Information Systems” provides a useful framework for review or Irelands health information systems.
15.7 The Green Party supports the Health In All Policies (HIAP) principle in the European Commission White Paper “Together for Health”.
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15.8 To achieve maximum health in terms of quality and equity in this economic environment we must ensure that we achieve a better balance between the needs of the health care delivery system and the need for action on broad social, environment, transport and educational policies that have a greater impact on health in the long term.
15.9 The Green Party takes the view that the policy making process should be informed by evidence.
15.10 The Green Party supports the development of local and regional consultative processes that allow people a real voice in making decisions about their health.
15.11 Certain basic conditions and resources must exist to enable/empower people to improve their health. These prerequisites are (a) peace, (b) shelter, (c) education, (d) food, (e) income and employment, (f) a stable eco-system and sustainable resources, and (g) social justice and equity. In the hierarchy of human needs prerequisites must be satisfied to allow individuals to pursue abstract needs and self-actualisation.
15.12 Local authorities have an important role to play in promoting health through their role in stewardship of the environment and through the planning process. Development that gives priority to safety for walkers and cyclists and to public transport over private cars has an important role to play in promoting and active lifestyle in addition to benefits of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
15.13 The Green Party support a need for urgent action to improve the quality of water delivered to rural homes in particular by some private group water schemes and water from private wells.
15.13 All dwelling houses and other residential accommodation and commercial premises when offered for sale or rental must have a radon test certificate which is not more than 5 years old. Private residences are exempted from mandatory testing but will be able to avail of a grant system to enable remedial works to be carried out if reference levels are exceeded.
15.14 The Green Party supports an expanded role for the Environmental Health Services (working with the Environmental Protection Agency) to deal more comprehensively with the impact of the environment on health including issues of radiation exposure, noise and planning.
15.15 In the context of the current social and economic crisis a commitment to social justice is vital to the protection of health.
15.16 The Green Party recognises that in a world of finite resources we must being to discuss how to prioritise the allocation of public goods for health.
15.17 There is a high risk of a spiral of poverty and increasing social exclusion in the current economic crisis but this is not inevitable. No real progress can be made on protecting and improving the health of the population without effective measures to alleviate poverty and address social exclusion.
15.18 Unemployment has a negative impact on health and psychosocial functioning. The Green Party is committed to facilitating highest possible levels of employment, and providing access to supported meaningful employment for those who are out of work.
15.19 The Green Party recognises the importance of family life for physical and mental health and recognises support for families as an important and cost effective intervention for health.
15.20 There is a need for a trusted, independent, authoritative and balanced source of health information that could be provided by an integrated independent Public Health system.
15.21 The Green Party recognises the primacy of the scientific model and of scientific evidence in developing and providing health information but also recognises that public information on health and disease should recognise alternative concepts of health.
15.22 The increasing practice of provision of disease specific public information funded directly or indirectly by health care product manufacturers should be discouraged or prohibited.
15.23. The Green Party opposes any change to EU legislation, which would permit direct marketing of prescription drugs and drugs available only from pharmacies directly to public.
15.24 The Green Party believes that a well resourced and independent Public Health system is vital infrastructure if we are to achieve sustainable and equitable health for all in Ireland.
15.25 It is particularly important that the structures and funding for the Public Health system and for health promotion are independent of the health care delivery system.
15.26 The Green Party supports expansion and implementation of immunisation programmes on the basis of consent of the vaccinated or their legal guardian to vaccination.
15.27 The Green Party supports measures that encourage the use of and improve access to fresh unprocessed foods including provision of public allotments and space for farmers markets.
15.28 The Green Party supports a reduction in the level of salt (sodium chloride) added to foods and the avoidance of unnecessary use of additives and preservatives in foods and beverages.
15.29 The Green Party supports measures to ensure clear and meaningful labelling of foods so that people can make an informed choice regarding what they eat
15.30 The Green Party adopts the Sydney Principles on Marketing to Children as a basis for actions to restrict commercial marketing of foods to children
15.31 The Green Party supports a ban on the sale of high calorie foods o low nutritional value (crisps/sweets/ high sugar drinks) in schools and other public buildings frequently used by children.
15.32 The Green Party supports targeted public programmes to improve education and practice related to oral hygiene and improve access to dental care and the phasing out of water fluoridation.
15.33 The Green Party supports a complete ban on advertising of alcohol on television and radio and a complete ban on the promotion of alcohol in association with sporting events.
15.34 The Green Party is opposed to any public policy measure that would promote or increase access to opportunities for gambling and supports greater restrictions on access to forms of gambling which appear to be particularly addictive or particularly attractive to children.
15.35 The Green Party support measures to empower people to take control of their sexual and reproductive health. This requires the right to freedom from coercion (through violence or economic necessity) as well as ensuring that people have access to information and to contraception.
15.3.6 It is essential that our society acts now to ensure that female genital mutilation does not become established in Ireland.
15.37 The Green Party considers that health research funding must give greater priority to health protection and promotion.
15.38 Health promotion and health protection services including education and training programmes and immunisation services should be free at the point of access and regular audit must be performed to ensure equitable access and utilisation of services by all groups in society.
15.39 Accountability, transparency and a renewed focus on the priority of service to the citizen are essential to sustain broad public support for a commitment of resources to health.