RCSI has launched the 2024/25 programme for RCSI MyHealth, an initiative that aims to bring reliable and trustworthy healthcare information to the public.

This year, the programme will feature in-person events offering the public the unique opportunity to engage directly with RCSI experts at our live sessions, as well as our popular online episodes.

The upcoming series will explore important health topics starting with the emotional impact of a dementia diagnosis and practical ways to maintain brain health, followed by the management of chronic pain and mental health. The third episode, focusing on emotional well-being following a cancer diagnosis, will take place as an in-person event at RCSI’s St Stephen’s Green campus in Dublin city centre. The event will feature healthcare providers and patient advocates who will share personal insights and coping strategies for life with cancer.

In 2025, the series will address changing sleep patterns throughout life, best practices in diabetes management and the importance of clean air for health. 
Running since 2017, the RCSI MyHealth lecture series aims to demystify common health concerns by drawing expertise and insight from RCSI researchers and international health experts at the cutting-edge of medical and healthcare developments. The series was recently announced as a winner in the Best of Europe Region Awards 2024 by CASE, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

The episodes are for anyone wanting to learn about common illnesses and health-related topics directly from leading healthcare experts and explore a wide range of areas in health and well-being. Previous episode topics have included menopause, vaping, stroke and positive ageing, all of which remain available to watch here. 

The upcoming episodes of the 2024 RCSI MyHealth series are:

• 19 September: Dementia and maintaining a healthy brain for life
• 17 October: Understanding and managing chronic pain
• 13 November: In-person event: "I don't know how to feel" – Coping strategies for life with cancer

In the first episode airing on Thursday, 19 September, an expert panel will discuss the emotional impact of a diagnosis from the perspective of a patient advocate living with Lewy Body Dementia. The episode aims to raise awareness and share practical tools for maintaining brain health, as well as discussing developments in disease modifying treatments in this area.

Chaired by Professor Annie Curtis, Associate Professor in RCSI’s School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, panelists will include Professor Alan Moore, Consultant Geriatrician, Beaumont Hospital and Honorary Clinical Lecturer, RCSI, Professor Norman Delanty, Consultant Neurologist, FutureNeuro Research Centre Clinical Investigator and RCSI Honorary Clinical Professor and Ms Kathleen Farrell, patient advocate for people living with dementia. 

Speaking about the launch, Professor Tracy Robson, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at RCSI, said: “As Ireland’s only dedicated health sciences university, RCSI is in a unique position to help enhance public health through sharing our expertise. Our commitment to empowering individuals with the latest health information on these topics is in direct response to public feedback and the most prevalent health issues affecting our population today. The return of in-person events will allow us to engage even more directly with the public, offering an enriching experience that complements our online programming.”

Professor Fergal O'Brien, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at RCSI commented on the series, saying: “This season of RCSI MyHealth builds on RCSI’s mission to educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health. RCSI teams are carrying out cutting edge research that has the potential to enhance the health of populations worldwide through improved diagnosis, treatments and by developing new insights into disease prevention. This series gives us a fantastic opportunity to share our ongoing work and scientific findings with members of the public and outline its relevance to their health and well-being.

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is ranked fifth in the world for its contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being, in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2024.

For more information, to subscribe to the mailing list or to register for any of the upcoming lectures visit our MyHealth Lecture Series webpage.