The Northern Ireland Health Economics Group 19^th Annual Conference – ‘The Economics of Preventative Strategies’ will take place on Friday 16 October 2009 at the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick.

• In November 2008, Liam Donaldson, England's Chief Medical Officer announced that the direct cost of obesity to the NHS reached £0.50bn, while the indirect cost to the UK economy was at least £2bn. He also added that 22% of men and 24% of women are clinically obese.

• Smoking costs the NHS more than £5bn per year according to research by the Department of Public Health at Oxford University in 2009.

• The British Heart Foundation stated in 2006 that Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) was the single most common cause of death in the UK and cost the UK health care system around £3,500m, with stroke care costing about £2.8bn per year.

Tackling the economic burden of chronic disease associated with obesity, smoking, sexual health and CHD is putting ever greater stress on an already stretched health and social care budget.

The focus of preventative strategies is to promote positive outcomes, in addition to preventing unhealthy lifestyle choices, which often lead to chronic conditions. But does the incremental approach of preventative strategies, which is often focused on effecting long-term change, actually deliver a reduction in the costs of treatment and care? What are the likely economic benefits of today's preventative strategies?

In its 19^th Annual Conference, the Northern Ireland Health Economics Group (NIHEG) will explore these issues presenting local and international perspectives on the Economics of Preventative Strategies and their impact on the health and social care wellbeing of the population.

For further information event programme and registration form please contact: Natasha Sheppey, Chairperson by email at Natasha.Sheppey@rqia.org.uk or tel: 028 9051 7500.