Background: The proposed study is aligned with the ongoing ADR ‘OCCUMEN Study’ which examines the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders (MDs) across occupational categories. This related study will examine sex-specific temporal trends in mental disorders and causes of death across occupation types before and following the onset of the Covid-19 (C-19) pandemic and examine associations with family responsibilities. Aim: We will examine the C-19 mental health impact on people within specific occupational groups, with...

From March 2020 individuals, wider society and health care systems have all been seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (WHO, 2020). It is likely that the pandemic has more severely impacted on people with prior mental health problems: generally research suggests that, pre-pandemic, people with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) (here we include schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and major depressive disorder) could expect to experience considerable social exclusion, poor physical health and die up to 20 years...

Self-Harm (SH) and suicide ideation (SI) (i.e. thoughts about dying by suicide) are two of the most important known risk factors for death by suicide. Increasing suicide rates are a major public health concern and Northern Ireland (NI) consistently has the highest rate of suicide in the UK and Ireland. Recent nationwide policies to reduce suicide are now including a focus on reducing SH and SI as these are precursors to suicide. However, little is...

To date, there has been little combined data regarding the unique health and disability profile of school children in Northern Ireland and its relative association with social background, commonly depicted by socio-economic status (SES). Evidence suggests a gradient relationship between SES and health outcomes in children [1]. Children growing up in families with lower SES have greater likelihood of poor outcomes across a range of health domains, with childhood disability also shown to be socially...

Modern society is changing the way we live, work and relate to each other. Digitalization is eliminating the need for everyday social interactions and consequently, issues such as social isolation and loneliness are becoming pressing public health problems. Older adults are particularly susceptible to social isolation due to a number of factors such as retirement, bereavement, loss of social contacts, declining health conditions, and other age-related major life transitions. Adverse health effects of social isolation...

A multi‐disciplinary team comprising Secondary Data Analysis Initiative funded academic Research Team from Ulster University, University of Bristol and senior representatives from Public Health England, the Health and Social Care Board, the Public Health Agency (PHA), Positive Futures, The Association for Real Change (ARC), the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts and the service user group Compass Advocacy Network (CAN) aim to exploit, link and maximise the use of NI Census and Mortality data...

Cancer places a huge burden on the healthcare system. It is amongst the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with approximately 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer related deaths in 2012. Screening of the more susceptible population is the most effective method of detecting cancer early and subsequently achieving more positive treatment outcomes. However, large variations in screening uptake rates have been identified as a central factor contributing to avoidable cancer deaths....

As people get older they suffer from many health conditions, this may be because of increasing propensity towards disease and/or a natural deterioration in parts or systems of the body. Some of these are evident and receive widespread public and academic attention (such as heart disease or dementia), others such as deafness do not, despite the potential to be a devastating chronic condition.

Just over 200,000 (~14%) of the people enumerated in the 2011 Census answered ‘yes’ to the question … In the past year, have you helped with or carried out any voluntary work without pay?

Northern Ireland (NI) has one of the highest rates of suicide in the UK and, unlike other countries; the rate among young men has been increasing in recent years. Only 28% of individuals who die by suicide in NI have been in touch with health services. The majority, therefore, are unknown to health and social services and may not be receiving the help they need. There is a need to understand the risk factors for...