Members of the Traveller community and their support organisations joined the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Health and Social Care Board at an event on Thursday 5 December in Belfast to mark Traveller Focus Week. The aim was to share progress made over the previous year and celebrating good practice in meeting the health and wellbeing needs of Travellers.

Ahead of World AIDS Day on 1 December, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has published the HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2013 report.

The report shows that the annual number of new first-UK diagnoses of HIV made in Northern Ireland increased by 17% from 81 in 2011 to 95 in 2012.Of the new diagnoses of HIV in Northern Ireland in 2012, 58% occurred in men who have sex with men (MSM). 639 HIV-infected residents of Northern Ireland received care for their HIV during 2012.

Latest figures show that in Northern Ireland, 216 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer in one year.

With Mouth Cancer Awareness Month (1–30 November) drawing to an end, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone to continue to be vigilant of the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer and is encouraging all smokers who are thinking about giving up smoking to make the decision to stop today.

Families who have been affected by suicide have an important role to play in the vital work that is ongoing to help prevent suicide and promote mental health and wellbeing. That is according to the Public Health Agency (PHA), which is marking International Survivors of Suicide Day

As we move closer to the height of winter, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people who are eligible for the flu vaccine but haven’t yet had it, to get it as soon as possible.

The PHA is particularly urging all those aged under 65 years who are in ‘at risk’ groups and pregnant women to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible. Flu can cause serious illness and result in a stay in hospital, or even death, for people in these ‘at risk’ categories. Even if you feel fit and healthy, if you fall into one of these groups it is important that you remember to get the vaccine.