The Western Investing for Health Partnership established the Student Media Awards to encourage up-and-coming media professionals to examine a more balanced approach to issues surrounding health and well-being.

Research carried out by the King’s Fund in the UK attempted to equate illnesses to how they were reported in the news and press, those illnesses which are most widely spread such as Coronary Heart Disease and Respiratory illnesses get very little coverage, while minority illnesses such as SARS get widespread sensationalism.

The Western IFH Partnership targets all Further Education Colleges and Universities throughout Northern Ireland to encourage those students who are considering a career in media to undertake a piece of research around a public health issue and produce an article, picture or story that highlights the initiative, reflecting positively on the role of the health service in tackling such issues.

There is a cash prize for each winner and runner up in each category.  Within the award scheme there are four main categories;

·         Best Platform Neutral Piece

·         Best Moving Image piece

·         Best Photographic Image

·         Best Written Piece

Local and regional experts in media and marketing are involved in the judging panel, along with Public Health medial professionals and IFH partnership members.

Media Students graduate to career within organisations including the BBC, RTE and commercial broadcasters as well as media production companies.  Health reporting tends to remain positive, with the ability to portray the NHS generally as a proactive (health improving) as well as reactive (treatment) organisation. 

Winning entries are also often used within the health service to promote campaigns and raise awareness, such as suicide awareness campaign on bus advertising and media footage shown as part of presentations on specific projects.