The recent OECD report ‘Health at a Glance’ states that more than one third of adults are living with a long-standing illness or health problems including cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes. Chronic diseases are challenging for both the individuals and their families, the health and social care sector, and wider society.

Chronic diseases impact on both earlier death and poorer quality of life, and they require a large part of available healthcare resources. Chronic diseases also have wider negative impact on individuals’ ability to take an active part in employment and social life. 

A large proportion of chronic diseases and their negative health impacts may be preventable, e.g. by lifestyle changes related to tobacco, alcohol, diet and physical activity, and adherence to a range of available preventative strategies. 

Epidemiological data suggest that the burden of chronic disease is unequally distributed by social groups. For many chronic diseases, the prevalence is higher in socially disadvantaged groups, and these groups may also experience worse consequences because they are less likely to seek effective interventions and may experience poorer outcomes from such interventions. 

This webinar will explore how policy interventions can impact chronic disease prevention. Speakers will discuss the GP chronic disease contract, cardiovascular disease and the commercial determinants of health, and obesity.

Our speakers are:

• Dr Orlaith O’Reilly, Clinical Lead for the Chronic Disease Management Programme, HSE
• Kathryn Reilly, Policy and Legislative Affairs Manager, Irish Heart Foundation
• Professor Donal O’Shea, Consultant Endocrinologist, St Vincent’s University Hospital; National Clinical Lead for Obesity, HSE

The webinar will be moderated by Dr Ronan Glynn, Health Sector Lead, EY Ireland.

This webinar series is supported by Janssen, Novartis and EY Ireland.