National stroke and heart charity, the Irish Heart Foundation, has announced the publication of ‘My heart health: A helpful guide to taking care of your heart’, at an event in Westside Library in Galway.
Aimed at improving heart health awareness and understanding, the new health literacy resource was developed in partnership with Galway City Council, Healthy Galway City and co-designed with local community groups.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD ) remains a leading cause of death and disability in Ireland and was responsible for 28 per cent of all deaths in 2024. This is despite an estimated 80 per cent of premature cardiovascular disease being preventable.
The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Health Literacy Report 2024 revealed that around 40 per cent of adults in Ireland have limited health literacy, which impacts the overall health and well-being of the population.
‘My heart health’ has been developed to support individuals and communities in better understanding their cardiovascular health, the risk factors for heart disease and stroke, and the steps people can take to protect and improve their heart health.
Practicability and accessibility
With an emphasis on practicality and accessibility, the resource was shaped through co-creation workshops with local community groups, including Westside Resource Centre, Ballinfoile Castlegar Neighbourhood Centre, and Salthill Men’s Shed, ensuring local voices guided the language, content, and design.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Galway City Mayor, Councillor Alan Cheevers, welcomed the initiative and highlighted the partnership approach behind the project.
“This group collaboration between the Irish Heart Foundation, Galway City Council and Healthy Galway City and most importantly, local community groups in the city, will further empower our communities in terms of health literacy, one of the most powerful ways in which we can improve public health in our city.”
Health literacy resource
Now in its 60th year of leading the fight against cardiovascular disease, the new health literacy resource is the latest example of the Irish Heart Foundation’s commitment to tackling health inequality in communities across Ireland.
Commenting on the project, Janis Morrissey, Director of Health Promotion, Information and Training at the charity, said, “Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of premature death and disability in this country.
“Improving health literacy is a vital step in prevention and early intervention. As an organisation, we are dedicated to improving health equity by ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, have access to the same quality of heart health services and support so that they and their families can make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.”
The development of this new health literacy resource is sponsored by the Adult Literacy for Life Strategy Collaboration and Innovation Fund 2025 and supported by Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB ).
‘My heart health: A helpful guide to taking care of your heart’ is available from the Irish Heart Foundation and online at irishheart.ie
