IPH launches new Public Health Matters Learning Platform and app

Public health professionals and policymakers, as well as members of the public interested in population health issues, can now access a new Public Health Matters digital learning platform and app focusing on public health and how it can shape healthier communities.

The new digital learning solution has been launched by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) and designed and developed in collaboration with healthcare eLearning specialists, Aurion Learning.

IPH, which informs public policy to support healthier populations in Ireland and Northern Ireland, wanted to distribute information and deliver learning to policy- and decision-makers, including local authorities, planners, and developers, as well as those who are considering a Health Information Assessment for an upcoming policy, programme or project.

As part of the digital learning solution, a new Introduction to Health Impact Assessment eLearning module was also developed to provide a greater understanding of the Health Impact Assessment and how it might apply to new policies, programmes or projects and ultimately benefit the population or community health.

The new Introduction to Health Impact Assessment eLearning module takes a practical approach to the topic and uses a range of interactive learning approaches, including scenario-based learning, that provide an interactive learning experience for anyone interested in understanding HIA.

The new learning content will be delivered through the new Public Health Matters learning platform, which is accessible through the free Public Health Matters app and a desktop version available here

The Public Health Matters learning platform was developed using Aurion Learning’s latest digital learning solutions offering, ByteKast, that will deliver engaging learning pathways in a structured, accessible format.

Commenting on the new digital learning initiative, CEO of the Institute of Public Health, Suzanne Costello, said:

“We are delighted to unveil our new Public Health Matters platform and app. We hope this will appeal to a wide range of public health professionals and to members of the public interested in finding out more about key public health issues.”

She added:
“Today we are launching our first digital learning module on Health Impact Assessment but on an ongoing basis, we will be adding new materials, such as a podcast, blogs, videos, and other content and resources. As we further develop this platform and app we hope it will become a reliable source of public health information and a useful tool for those working in the field,”

Joanna Purdy, Public Health Development Officer at IPH added:
“The Institute of Public Health has been working in the field of Health Impact Assessment for more than two decades and is now embracing new digital learning tools to bring HIA and other public health topics to a wider audience. We have developed and launched a short ‘Introduction to HIA’, now available through our new Public Health Matters app on the ByteKast from Aurion Learning platform, and plan to develop further public health-related modules and content in the future.”

Commenting on the announcement, Gavin Woods, Managing Director at Aurion Learning said:
“We are delighted to partner with the Institute of Public Health on this innovative learning project. It is really important to get the learning that people need directly into the hands of those who need it. ByteKast from Aurion Learning is the ideal platform to deliver this important Health Impact Assessment content in an innovative and effective way.”

Over the coming months, the Institute will develop new Public Health Matters modules and additional resources which will enable subscribers to further develop their knowledge about HIA and other public health topics including a Public Health Matters podcast series which will become available during the summer months. The podcast will focus on a range of topics, from tobacco, alcohol, and obesity to health inequalities and mental health and will be available through the new app among other platforms.

The Public Health Matters app is free to download on the Google Play (Android) and iTunes store (Apple) and a desktop version will also be available at: https://learning.publichealth.ie/#/journey-view

Reviews