HIIC Publications

There are various publications associated with Health Issues in the Community that are a useful resource for tutors, students and other stakeholders. HIIC Newsletters are produced approximately twice a year, and there have also been various volumes of student writings that contain excerpts from student course work over the years.

HIIC national evaluation

During the course of 2005/2006 a full national evaluation of the Health Issues in the Community Course was undertaken. The key aims of this exercise were to make an assessment of how involvement in the initiative makes an impact on:

• the personal health and well-being of participants
• involvement in communities and community organisations
• the service delivery and decision-making of organisations, agencies and other stakeholders

Key Findings

There have been significant impacts on the health and well-being of participants in HIIC Courses 

• Around 85% of participants report improvements in confidence and self-esteem
• most participants feel that they have increased influence over factors affecting their health
• the majority of participants had indicated some level of positive impact on their employability
• around 84% of participants had indicated that involvement in the course had resulted in learning progression
• the majority of participants are becoming more involved in their communities and several have gone on to set up community groups or take forward local health projects

Local stakeholders identify a change in the way some statutory services consider community health issues

There is evidence to suggest that there is a positive impact on staff who have been involved in developing or delivering courses locally