One of the most consistent findings in health services research relates to gaps between ideal (as determined by scientific evidence) and actual care. Shifting care out of hospitals and into the Primary Care, community setting is at the core of a plan to radically transform Irish healthcare. Under an expansion […]

As a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, obesity poses a significant threat to population health and places substantial burden on health services. It is clear that the treatment of morbid obesity needs to be recognised as a fundamental aspect in tackling the obesity epidemic. The increasing evidence on […]

Teenagers are often portrayed as unhappy, problematic and difficult to live with. However, many of us may forget that the adolescent stage manifests in rapid physical, psychological, cognitive and socio-cultural changes for young people that occur at a time when a sense of identity and autonomy is being established. So, […]

Growing up as a child in the 21st century is not as easy as we may think. In addition to not being as physically active and being at greater risk of obesity, children today are falling behind in terms of fine motor skill development. Fine motor skills involve the use […]

  This Lancet study published on 5th April 2017 (http://thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)30819-X/fulltext) systematically analysed almost 3000 data sources across 195 countries between 1990 and 2015 to demonstrate comprehensively that smoking is still one of the main killers worldwide. This huge undertaking was possible owing to a large Global Collaborator Network which the […]

Research into ageing continues to increase in importance, as an ageing society poses both opportunities and challenges. The population aged 65 and over in Ireland is projected to nearly double by 2031 (CSO 2013). Relationships in older age are a recognised as an important source of wellbeing and social support, […]

It is controversial how to best treat individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism. There is some observational data that it may be associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease but that it may also have a protective role in those ≥ 85 years. This led investigators to establish the TRUST trial. […]

“Suicide doesn’t end the pain. It just passes it on to someone else”. The oft repeated words of Kim Kipper, a psychotherapist and mother speaking at a memorial event for four young students in a US high school who had taken their own life (Bonds Staples, 2013), accurately reflect the […]

Introduction In Ireland, the Department of Health has made a number of commitments to understanding and improving the health of our population. The vision for a Healthy Ireland is to create a supportive society where all individuals can enjoy health and wellbeing to their full potential. Though we have made […]

My research is based in the dementia field and it ranges from dementia care to health and social policy regarding dementia. On the EU-FP7-project, Dementia Ambient Care (Dem@Care, www.demcare.eu) I researched the use of ambient and wearable sensors to provide individualised support for people with mild dementia in five areas: […]