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A systematic review of the association between alcohol-related deaths and area-level socioeconomic deprivation and other geographic characteristics in high-income countries

BACKGROUND: There are substantial inequalities in alcohol-related mortality related to individual-level education, income, and employment status, but less is known about the association between alcohol-related mortality and the geographic characteristics of an area. This systematic review aims to explore whether area-level features, including area-level measures of socioeconomic status, are associated with alcohol-attributable mortality. METHODS: We […]

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Geographical characteristics and other factors associated with alcohol-related fatal fires in Ireland 2014 – 2021

Alcohol-related fatal fires represent a tragic but preventable death. Geographic features of these events can inform prevention campaigns and are important to consider in combination with other risk factors. This study aims to examine the factors associated with alcohol-related versus non-alcohol-related fatal fires, and to examine geographical characteristics of alcohol-related fatal fires in Ireland.

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Safety, cost and environmental impact of reprocessing low and moderate risk single-use medical devices: a systematic review

Objectives: Estimate the safety, financial and environmental impacts of reprocessing low and moderate risk single-use medical devices (SuMDs). Methods: Systematic review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022365642) of primary studies of patients receiving reprocessed low and moderate risk SuMDs (non-critical and semi-critical medical devices a and b) versus first use of otherwise identical SuMDs. Items were sourced via database and […]

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Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) use and harms in Ireland: new findings from the 2024 European Web Survey on Drugs

Background: Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid which was marketed and sold openly in Ireland as a legal alternative to cannabis products until it was controlled in July 2025. There have been reports of psychotic illness precipitated by HHC use. Consequently, there are fears that HHC may become a public health issue. This study’s aim […]

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Drug use prevalence in Ireland: Findings from recent population studies and estimates of problematic use

This is a supplement to Drugnet 92. Drugnet Ireland is the Health Research Board’s quarterly drug and alcohol research and policy newsletter. It provides summaries and analysis of recent publications and policy developments and well as overviews of particular issues relating to the drug and alcohol situation Ireland. Experts from the EUDA national focal point […]

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Effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of pharmacist prescribing

The HRB conducted a systematic review to synthesise evidence on the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of pharmacist prescribing. This systematic review provides policy-makers in the Department of Health with evidence related to the safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of pharmacist prescribing compared with other prescribing healthcare professionals across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare settings. This evidence […]

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Polysubstance use in early adulthood and associated factors in the Republic of Ireland: an analysis of a nationally representative

Background and aims: Alcohol and other drug use is common in early adulthood; however, research on contemporary polysubstance use patterns—defined as use of multiple psychoactive substances—and their associated factors is limited. This study aimed to identify groups with differing polysubstance use patterns and to examine associations with individual, family and socio-environmental factors. Design: This is […]

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Trends in cocaine use and cocaine-related harms in Ireland: a retrospective, multi-source database study.

Background: Increased cocaine supply has coincided with increased global cocaine use. In 2019 Ireland had one of the highest last-year rates of cocaine use in Europe. However, there is a lack of data on the health-related impacts of cocaine use in European countries over time. Methods: This retrospective, multi-source database study utilised data from national […]

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Safety, cost and environmental impact of reprocessing high risk single-use medical devices: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: Aim: To estimate the safety, financial and environmental effects of reprocessing high risk SUMDs. Methods: Systematic review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022365642) of primary trial and observational studies of human participants receiving reprocessed high risk SUMDs compared with first use of identical SUMDs. Reprocessing was defined as cleaning, disinfection, and sterilisation or related procedures, and function […]

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