Case Study: Research Policy Interface Thematic Group

Local Governmental Indicators for Community Wellbeing in Ireland

A framework for progressing community wellbeing measurement

Academics and Institutional Affiliation:

Maisoon Mairghani, Ross Brannigan & Debbi Stanistreet

School of Population Health, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland

Evidence of policy outcome referencing the role of the research:

Yes. Our systematic review of urban SDoH indicators provided the evidence base for selecting a structured set of 95 indicators (50 prioritised for immediate use). This work was then applied to inform the use of the Carnegie UK Wellbeing Framework in the Irish context. The indicator set underpins SHCP evaluation and local authority planning work.

To be shared with local government partners via Healthy Ireland (https://www.gov.ie/en/healthy-ireland/campaigns/healthy-ireland/) to inform the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme (https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/healthwellbeing/slaintecare-healthy-communities/)

Research undertaken that informed or underpinned the policy outcome:

RCSI conducted a systematic review of 74 studies from 27 European countries to identify and prioritise indicators for measuring urban social determinants of health. Findings were synthesised into a practical set of 95 indicators (50 prioritised for immediate use).

Report: Indicators for Community Wellbeing in Local Government (will be published 11th of September 2025).

Key learnings for you from this research-policy bridging process:

• Working with Healthy Ireland and Compass Informatics colleagues into the process from the start helped ensure the framework was practical and relevant not just an academic exercise.

• Building on existing national data sources (CSO, NOAC, EPA) was critical for feasibility and gave confidence that the indicators could actually be implemented.

• Aligning with the Carnegie UK Wellbeing Framework was essential for future comparability with Northern Ireland/United Kingdom

• the project showed the value of framing evidence as a tool for local decision-making: policymakers may engage more readily when indicators are linked to evidence.

SDGs impacted:

SDG 3, SDG 10 & SDG 17