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PHA encourages action to prevent falls at home

With one in five over 55s having had a fall at home, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is working in partnership with councils across Northern Ireland during Falls Prevention Awareness Week to raise awareness of the measures we can take at home to prevent falls.

Hilary Johnston, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA, said: “Falls can have a very serious impact, resulting in pain and injury, and in some cases even death. Falls continue to be the leading cause of accidental deaths at home with the incidence of falling increasing as people get older. The Health Survey Northern Ireland 2013/14 shows one in five respondents aged over 55 years reported having had a fall in or around their home in the last two years. The human cost of falling includes distress, pain, injury, loss of confidence, loss of independence, and mortality. Many older people also live in fear that they could fall, and this loss of confidence can significantly impact on their ability to remain independent. Falling also affects the family members and carers of people who fall.

PHA encourages students to ‘Mind Your Head’

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging students to be aware of the importance of looking after their mental health, as the new academic year gets underway.

Fiona Teague Health Improvement Manager with the PHA, said: “This month marks an exciting time for many young people as they head off to college or university. It can also be a huge period of change for those starting a new course and perhaps living away from home for the first time.

“Most of us go to university or college hoping that it will lead to a good job in the future. In the shorter term, students are usually focused on making new friends, settling into a new place, and finding a new job, but these can also present challenges.”

RAPID action takes 150,000 pills off the streets

More than 150,000 tablets have been disposed of through the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) RAPID initiative which is helping to remove prescription and illegal drugs from our streets.

The RAPID (Remove All Prescription and Illegal Drugs) scheme provides drug disposal bins to facilitate the disposal of unwanted drugs easily and discreetly.

Adverse weather

During adverse weather many people can experience a range of situations associated with the extreme weather such as cold and freezing temperatures, no electricity or mains water and flooding. The Public Health Agency (PHA) has compiled public health information to assist the public in these situations.

Vaccinate kids as the first line of defence against flu

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is calling on parents of pre-school and primary school children to get their kids vaccinated against flu.

This will help protect not only them but also those around them, particularly older grandparents or relations with an underlying health condition. Children in particular can increase the spread of the flu virus in the community, but vaccination helps curb this.

The switchboard number for the PHA’s Headquarters at Linenhall Street, Belfast has changed to 0300 555 0114. Click here for more information.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) was established in April 2009 as part of the reforms to Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland. We are the major regional organisation for health protection and health and social wellbeing improvement. Our role also commits us to addressing the causes and associated inequalities of preventable ill-health and lack of wellbeing. We are a multi-disciplinary, multi-professional body with a strong regional and local presence.

Directorates

In fulfilling our mandate to protect public health, improve public health and social wellbeing, and reduce inequalities in health and social wellbeing, the PHA works within an operational framework of three areas: Public Health, Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, and Operations. Our corporate and business plans reflect these arrangements and our purpose as an organisation.

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