Brain problems to increase among Irish

With 700,000 people in Ireland suffering from Neurological conditions, this week marks the launch of Brain Awareness week which is organised by The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives.

The Dana Alliance is a non-profit organization of more than 265 neuroscientists, committed to advancing public awareness about the progress and promise of brain research.

“Brain Awareness Week is an excellent indicator of how the progress of brain research has resonated internationally,” notes Edward F. Rover, president of the Dana Foundation. “People want to know what is happening in the science and how it will affect them and their families.”

In Ireland the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) organised events this week from conferences to coffee mornings. The NAI is an umbrella organisation for groups representing the views and concerns of those affected by neurological conditions.

According to the Strategic Review of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Services there are up to 700,000 people living with neurological conditions in Ireland. These conditions affect the brain and spinal cord such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and Parkinson’s disease.

This figure is set to rise to 800,000 by 2016 according to a report produced by the Population Health Directorate of the HSE and currently under review by the National Hospitals Office.

Currently there are only 17 neurologists and 9 neurosurgeons in Ireland. These figures are the lowest in Europe. A report commissioned by the Government in 2003 recommended that 39 neurologists and 16 neurosurgeons were needed to serve the Irish population.

The way issues of mental health are being reported in the media have also come under scrutiny.

Headline is Ireland’s national media monitoring programme for mental health and suicide. It works to promote responsible and accurate coverage of mental health and suicide related issues within the Irish media.

Headline is funded by the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention as part of the Reach Out strategy, and is managed by Schizophrenia Ireland.

It believes the media have a significant role to play in promoting positive mental health and actively reducing stigma and discrimination towards people with mental health difficulties.

To find out more about the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, Brain Awareness week and events planned log onto www.nai.ie and visit the Headline website at www.headline.ie

Safe sex now cheaper for students in Ireland

After years of lobbying, from the Union of Students (USI) and the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, the Government have decided the price of condoms is to be reduced.

Finance Minister Brian Cowen made the announcement under the Finance Bill, which will see the VAT on condoms being reduced from 21% to 13.5%. This will mean the price of a twelve pack of condoms will be reduced from €13.20 to €12.40, while a three pack of condoms will go from €4.20 to €3.94

The announcement came before Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance Week (SHAG) which took place in colleges all over the country from the 11th - 15th February 2008. This week was organised by the USI and the Crisis Pregnancy Agency with the main focus on educating students about safer sex. Students received SHAG packs which contained free condoms during the week.

President of the USI, Hamidreza Khodabakhshi, said, "condoms have always been overpriced in Ireland. This has meant a practical restriction on their availability for young people, the age category statistically most at risk frm STIs." Hamidreza believes "reducing VAT on condoms to 13.5% will cut the STI rate."

Ideally the USI would like to see the VAT on condoms and all other forms of contraceptive reduced to 5%.

A recent study of sexual health and relationships in Ireland found that one in five people between the ages of 18 - 24 thought the cost of condoms would discourage their use of them.

In a statement from the Crisis Pregnancy Agency its Director, Caroline Spillane, said she welcomed the decision to reduce the VAT on condoms. 

"Condoms are the most popular method of contraceptive and they are one of the best forms of protection against STIs. While the reduction in cost to the consumer is not large, it will have an impact on the purse of the low-waged and younger person who report that cost is an issue for them."

With condoms in Ireland among the most expensive in Europe and not available under the medical card scheme, the reduction in VAT and subsequent drop in price has been welcomed by most people.

However, not surprisingly there is one group who oppose the change. 

Martin Long, who is Director of the Catholic Communication Office, stated that the church was very much against the action taken by the Minister for Finance. In a statement he outlined the church's views.

"The church's teaching is clear: within the sacrament of marriage, the use of condoms as contraceptives is wrong, though there may be mitigating circumstances.

"Outside of marriage, the use of condoms encourages sexual activity, which is always gravely sinful. This decision sends the wrong signal to our young people as the promotion of condoms promotes promiscuity."