The Public Health Agency (PHA) is shining a spotlight on the importance of social connection and encouraging people to take part in age-friendly events as part of Positive Ageing Month this October. Throughout the month, Age Friendly Coordinators in all 11 local council are hosting activities alongside community organisations designed to bring people together, help reduce isolation and celebrate the valuable contribution older people make to our communities. Jeff Scroggie, Regional Health Improvement Lead for Ageing Well at the PHA, said: “Loneliness is one of the biggest risks to older people

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and encouraging everyone to be breast aware throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month which runs throughout October. Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women in Northern Ireland. It can occur at any age, but the risk of developing it increases with age. Dr Louise Herron, Deputy Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “Breast cancer accounts for 30 percent of all cancer in women in Northern Ireland, with around 1,500 cases a year. As the risk increases with age and most cases

The latest Living Well initiative showcases how community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are on hand to offer advice and support on a wide range of winter illnesses that can help you ‘during the colder months. ‘Stay Well this Winter’ is running in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland as part of the Living Well service and provides information and advice on how you can protect your health over the winter months and the support available to you through your community pharmacy. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), and the

Call comes as over 4,000 were hospitalised with flu last year This year’s winter vaccination campaign commences on Monday 6 October and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone that respiratory illnesses such as flu, COVID-19 and RSV can be serious, even for some healthy people. Last year 862 children and young people, and 3,158 people aged 18 and over, were hospitalised with influenza in Northern Ireland. Of those 2,922 were as an emergency hospital admission. Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, is urging everyone in the eligible groups to get ready for winter