University of Galway hosts annual Health Promotion Conference addressing progress and emerging threats in sexual health University of Galway today hosted the annual Health Promotion Conference, with the focus this year on advancing sexual health promotion. Led by the University’s Health Promotion Research Centre, in partnership with the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive Sexual Health Programme and Association for Health Promotion Ireland, the event brought together researchers, practitioners, policy leads and international experts to explore how Ireland can shape the future of sexual health and wellbeing. The conference – From Awareness to Action: Advancing Sexual Health Promotion – reflected on national policy developments, including the new National Sexual Health Strategy 2025–2035 and its accompanying Action Plan for 2025–2028, published this week by the Government and presented at the conference. It also considered the delivery of quality sexuality education, equitable access to healthcare, stigma reduction and emerging issues such as digital sexual behaviours and STI/HIV prevention. Discussions focused on how to build a more inclusive, evidence-driven and holistic approach to sexual and reproductive health. Ireland has seen substantial progress in sexual health – from declining teenage pregnancies to increased access to contraception and more open discussions of LGBTQ+ rights – but challenges continue in relation to sexual health, marked by rising HIV and STI rates internationally; the need to focus on prevention of domestic, gender based and sexual violence (DSGBV) and support for survivors; and to address stigma, which can be a barrier to accessing care.  Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, T.D. said: “The annual Health Promotion Research Conference is a great opportunity for knowledge exchange for all of us involved in protecting and promoting health. This year's theme of Sexual Health Promotion highlights the importance of normalising conversations about sexual health, to encourage people to access testing and care, and to ensure no one is left behind. We have achieved considerable progress in the development and implementation of sexual health services, and this work continues, with an additional €1.35m allocated to free home STI testing, HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and the free contraception scheme in 2025. We are grateful today for the opportunity to present our new National Sexual Health Strategy and Action Plan to a wider audience.” Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “As a University with a proud tradition of leading public health and social change, we are honoured to host this national conversation on sexual health. This conference is both timely and necessary, as it brings to the fore a topic that has often been under-prioritised despite its centrality to human health, dignity and equality.” The conference featured contributions from international experts from Canada, Belgium, Uganda and the UK, offering a global perspective on the challenges around sexual and reproductive health. Participants explored how sexual health promotion can be strengthened, with a particular focus on reaching people of all genders and sexual orientations, ethnicities and identities and cultural/religious backgrounds. Professor Saoirse Nic Gabhainn, Professor of Health Promotion at the University of Galway, said: “Sexual health is about far more than the absence of disease. It is about relationships, consent, pleasure, identity, and rights. With the changing public discourse in Ireland, we have an opportunity to reimagine how sexual health is promoted – not only through health services, but across education, community and policy.” Dr András Költő, Senior Postdoctoral Researcher in Health Promotion at the University of Galway, said: “We are facing a hidden sexual health crisis. Despite numerous achievements in the last decades, honest and open discussions on sexual and reproductive health are still restricted by shame, silence and taboo. This conference provides a unique platform to share knowledge, identify evidence gaps, and shape future action in Sexual Health Promotion that is inclusive, effective and sustainable.” The conference features panel discussions, interactive workshops and keynote addresses including: Professor Kaye Wellings, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine – five decades of sexual health promotion and the challenges the field currently faces. Professor Philip Dodd, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and Dr Fiona Mansergh, Sexual Health and Contraception Policy Lead, Department of Health – summaries of progress in the area of sexual health since the first Sexual Health Strategy was launched in 2015. Professor Fiona Lyons, St James’s Hospital and HSE Sexual Health Programme – current trends in Sexually Transmitted Infections and how to address the rise in STIs in Ireland. Full programme details are available at: www.hprcconference.ie The new National Sexual Health Strategy and first National Sexual Health Action Plan, 2025–2028 (single document), can be accessed at: https://www.gov.ie/en/healthy-ireland/policy-information/national-sexual-health-strategy-2025-2035/ Ends

Tá sé mar aidhm ag clár Taighde Éireann luas a chur faoi dhul chun cinn taighde i réitigh cúraim sláinte tráchtála An Mol ARC do Theicneolaíochtaí Sláinte faoi stiúir Ollscoil na Gaillimhe i gcomhpháirtíocht le hOllscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh agus Ollscoil Leighis agus Eolaíochtaí Sláinte RCSI Beidh Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ina ceanncheathrú d'infheistíocht nua €34 milliún i réitigh theicneolaíochta cúraim sláinte faoi chlár Mhol ARC Taighde Éireann – faoi chlár Taighde Éireann, an Mol ARC – Ó Thaighde go Tráchtálú. Rinne an tAire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta, James Lawless T.D. fógra faoin Mol ARC do Theicneolaíochtaí Sláinte inniu agus is cuid de thionscnaimh níos leithne agus de dhámhachtainí maoinithe é chun tionchar tráchtála an taighde a thiomáint. Tá an Mol ARC do Theicneolaíochtaí Sláinte á stiúradh ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, i gcomhpháirtíocht le ATU agus RCSI, agus beidh 23 tionscadal nuálaíochta atá faoi stiúir taighde ann ag an tús a roghnaíodh mar gheall ar a gcumas láidir chun torthaí othar a fheabhsú. Tá an infheistíocht mhaoinithe shuntasach €34.3 milliún curtha ar fáil ag Rialtas na hÉireann agus ag Ciste Forbraíochta Réigiúnaí na hEorpa (CFRE) chun áit a chinntiú do Réigiún an Tuaiscirt agus an Iarthair mar cheannaire náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta i réimse na Teicneolaíochta Leighis agus na nuálaíochta sláinte comhnasctha. Is é príomhchuspóir Mhol ARC forbairt réigiúnach a thiomáint trí thaighde úrnua, ceannródaíoch a bhrú chun cinn agus é a ullmhú le haghaidh tionchar tráchtála agus ag an am céanna tacú le forbairt eolaithe agus innealtóirí fiontraíocha a bhfuil na scileanna acu chun deiseanna tráchtála a eascairt as taighde. Tugann an Mol ARC do Theicneolaíochtaí Sláinte saineolas cliniciúil agus tráchtála, taighde ceannródaíoch agus líonraí réigiúnacha le chéile chun réitigh tionchair a fhorbairt chun dul i ngleic le galair ainsealacha. Beidh sé dírithe ar ionchlannáin chliste, ar fheistí leighis inchaite ardteicneolaíochta, ar bhraiteoirí nuálacha agus ar shamhaltú atá bunaithe ar intleacht shaorga agus ar mheaisínfhoghlaim. Tacóidh an Mol ARC do Theicneolaíochtaí Sláinte le foirne idirdhisciplíneacha, cuirfidh sé léargas rialála agus margaidh ar fáil, cuirfidh sé dlús faoi chonairí cliniciúla agus tráchtála agus forbróidh sé comhpháirtíochtaí le páirtithe leasmhara tionscail agus cúraim sláinte. Feidhmeoidh sé mar mheán tástála náisiúnta le haghaidh aistriú nuálaíochta, ag treorú foirne taighde acadúla trí chéimeanna tábhachtacha i dtreo tráchtálaithe.             Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag James Lawless, T.D., an tAire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta: “Cabhróidh Mol ARC Taighde Éireann do Theicneolaíochtaí Sláinte le nuálaíocht réigiúnach agus oiliúint fiontraíochta a athrú ó bhonn i réigiún an Iarthuaiscirt agus níos faide i gcéin. Agus feabhas á chur ar na héiceachórais cúraim sláinte agus teicneolaíochta acadúla-fiontraíochta atá ann cheana féin, cuirfidh an Mol ARC sraith tacaí tionchair ar an láthair ar fáil, a rachaidh chun tairbhe gach duine sa phróiseas – taighdeoirí, innealtóirí, teicneolaithe, monaróirí, cliniceoirí, lianna agus, go ríthábhachtach, othair. Is rud é soláthar agus seachadadh cúraim sláinte iomchuí agus éifeachtach atá íogair ó thaobh ama de. Beidh ról ríthábhachtach ag an Mol ARC do Theicneolaíochtaí Sláinte i ndlús a chur faoi thráchtálú taighde agus réitigh shláinte a chur ar fáil dóibh siúd a bhfuil gá acu leo níos tapúla.”             Dúirt Uachtarán Eatramhach Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Peter McHugh: “Tugann an infheistíocht seo aitheantas do chumhacht an chomhoibrithe réigiúnaigh agus neart ár bpobail ardoilte acadúil agus chliniciúil. Cé go bhfuil dúshláin shuntasacha roimh ár réigiún – agus scór faoi bhun mheáin an AE agus na meán náisiúnta againn i dtaca le hiomaíochas réigiúnach – tá éiceachóras uathúil agus idirnáisiúnta againn ar féidir linn a fhorbairt, agus stair bhródúil againn as a bhfuil bainte amach againn i réimse leathan na teicneolaíochta sláinte. Cruthaíonn láithreacht fhadbhunaithe Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, lena n-áirítear ár n-acadaimh leighis, in éineacht le campais scaipthe ATU agus saineolas RCSI, comhghuaillíocht láidir. Cuirfidh an Mol ARC seo tionchar chun cinn san áit is mó a bhfuil gá leis agus trí oibriú le chéile, is féidir linn aghaidh a thabhairt ar na dúshláin chéanna agus leas a bhaint as an gcumas nuálaíochta atá cheana féin inár bpobail.”             Dúirt an tOllamh Garry Duffy, Ollamh Bunaithe le Nuálaíocht Teicneolaíochta Sláinte in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe agus Stiúrthóir ar Mhol ARC do Theicneolaíochtaí Sláinte: “Tá ríméad orainn saineolas réigiúnach agus náisiúnta a thabhairt le chéile i nuálaíocht sláinte comhnasctha. Is é ár sprioc réitigh a chruthú a athróidh an chaoi a ndéileálaimid le galair ainsealacha sa phobal. Is éard atá i gceist anseo ná eiseamláir dhomhanda a fhorbairt don Teicneolaíocht Leighis agus do nuálaíocht sláinte comhnasctha – fréamhaithe i réigiún Thuaisceart agus Iarthar na hÉireann. Cuirfidh an Mol ar ár gcumas iarrachtaí atá ar bun cheana féin a mhéadú agus ardán comhordaithe go náisiúnta a fhorbairt chun tús áite a thabhairt do theicneolaíochtaí a fhéadfaidh feabhas a chur ar cháilíocht na beatha agus ar chúram. Cuid lárnach den Mhol ARC is ea 23 tionscadal nuálaíochta atá roghnaithe mar gheall ar a gcumas láidir torthaí othar a fheabhsú. Rachaidh gach ceann acu faoi mhearchosán ón taighde go dtí an margadh, atá deartha chun réitigh a chur ar fáil dóibh siúd a bhfuil gá acu leo níos tapúla."             Dúirt an tOllamh Aoife Lowery, Ollamh le Máinliacht in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, Stiúrthóir na Saoráide Taighde Cliniciúla i nGaillimh agus Ceannaire Cliniciúil ar Mhol ARC do Theicneolaíochtaí Sláinte: “Is é an aidhm atá againn ná an eolaíocht cheannródaíoch a nascadh leis na daoine agus na córais ar féidir leo í a úsáid ar mhaithe le leas na n-othar. Trí léargas cliniciúil a chur san áireamh ó na céimeanna is luaithe den nuálaíocht, tacóimid le teicneolaíochtaí a bhfuil tionchar acu agus ar féidir iad a chur i bhfeidhm i suíomhanna cúraim sláinte an tsaoil.” Críoch

Research Ireland programme aims to fast-track research breakthroughs into commercial healthcare solutions ARC Hub for HeathTech led by University of Galway in partnership with Atlantic Technological University and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Galway is to be the headquarters for a new €34 million investment in healthcare technology solutions under Research Ireland’s ARC Hub programme - Accelerating Research to Commercialisation. The announcement of the ARC Hub for HealthTech was made today by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless T.D. and forms part of wider initiatives and funding awards to drive the commercial impact of research. The ARC Hub for HealthTech is being led by University of Galway, in partnership with ATU and RCSI and starts with 23 research-led innovation projects selected for their strong potential to improve patient outcomes. The landmark funding investment of €34.3 million is provided by the Government of Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to position the Northern and Western Region as a national and international leader in MedTech and connected health innovation. Primary objective of the ARC Hub programme is to drive regional development by accelerating novel, cutting-edge research and make it ready for commercial impact while also supporting the development of entrepreneurial scientists and engineers with the skills to realise commercial opportunities from research. The ARC Hub for HealthTech brings together clinical and commercial expertise, cutting-edge research and regional networks to develop impactful solutions to tackle chronic disease. Its focus will be on smart implants, advanced wearable medical devices, novel sensors and AI- and machine learning-driven modelling. The ARC Hub for HealthTech will support interdisciplinary teams, provide regulatory and market insight, accelerate clinical and commercial pathways and build partnerships with industry and healthcare stakeholders. It will act as a national testbed for innovation translation, guiding academic research teams through key steps towards commercialisation.             Speaking at the announcement, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless T.D., said: “The Research Ireland ARC Hub for HealthTech will help transform regional innovation and entrepreneurial training in the North West region and beyond. Enhancing the existing academic-enterprise healthcare and technology ecosystems, the ARC Hub will deliver a suite of impactful, on-the-ground supports, benefitting everyone in the process – researchers, engineers, technologists, manufacturers, clinicians, physicians and, critically, patients. The provision and delivery of appropriate and effective healthcare is, by its very nature, time-sensitive. The ARC Hub for HealthTech will play an instrumental role in accelerating the commercialisation of research and getting health solutions to those that need them faster.”             Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “This investment recognises the power of regional collaboration and the strength of our academic and clinical talent pool. While our region faces significant challenges – scoring below the EU and national averages in regional competitiveness – we also have a unique and internationally-renowned ecosystem from which to build, and a proud history of achievement in the broad health technology domain. University of Galway’s long-established presence, including our network of medical academies, combined with ATU’s multi-campus reach and RCSI’s expertise, creates a formidable alliance. This ARC Hub will drive impact where it's needed most and working collaboratively it allows us to address shared challenges and harness the innovation potential that already exists in our communities.”             Professor Garry Duffy, Professor of Health Technology Innovation at University of Galway, Professor of Anatomy at RCSI and Director of the ARC Hub for HealthTech, added: “We're excited to bring together regional and national expertise in connected health innovation. Our goal is to create solutions that will transform how we manage chronic disease in our communities. This is about building a global beacon for MedTech and connected health innovation - rooted in the Northern and Western region of Ireland. The Hub will allow us to scale up efforts already underway and build a nationally coordinated platform to fast-track technologies that can improve quality of life and care. At the heart of the ARC Hub are 23 innovation projects selected for their strong potential to improve patient outcomes. Each will undergo an accelerated pathway from research to market, designed to bring solutions to those who need them, faster."             Professor Aoife Lowery, Professor of Surgery at University of Galway, Director of the Clinical Research Facility Galway and Clinical Lead of the ARC Hub for HealthTech, said: “Our aim is to connect breakthrough science with the people and systems who can translate it into patient benefit. By embedding clinical insight from the earliest stages of innovation, we will support technologies that are both impactful and implementable in real-world healthcare settings.” Ends