AQW 34022/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 21/10/2025
Answered On Date: 21/11/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department has commissioned any research into the correlation between menopause and osteoporosis.

Answer:

The Department is aware of extensive existing research evidence around menopause and osteoporosis and related NICE recommendations.

The Health and Social Care (HSC) Research & Development (R&D) Division within the Public Health Agency are responsible for the administration of the Department’s budgetary allocation for Research & Development, including support for research offices in each of the acute Trusts.

The HSC R&D have not specifically commissioned any research into the correlation between menopause and osteoporosis. Rather, they provide funding for infrastructure, including the NI Clinical Research Network (NICRN) and Clinical Research Facility (NICRF), which supports researchers to carry out work in various disease areas.

In addition, my Department makes a financial contribution to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which funds research into a wide range of conditions, including the menopause and osteoporosis. NI researchers are eligible to apply to NIHR for funding to carry out research in this and other areas.