Sunscreen is one holiday essential that often gets left behind when people pack for a winter holiday, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are reminding travellers not to forget about sunscreen during their half term get-away, whether they’re heading for the slopes or the beach.

With colder weather forecast for the next few days, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising everyone to look after themselves and their neighbours during the cold snap.

With 60% of adults in Northern Ireland either overweight or obese, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to spot the signs that they may be inching towards bad health. Measuring up is a quick and easy way to check, and as part of National Obesity Awareness Week (11-17 January) our experts are saying take out the tape measure and get to know your waistline. “Many people don’t measure their waistline correctly as they’re unsure of where their waistline actually is,” Dr Tracy Owen, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA, said.

The Public Health Agency is advising everyone to be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning. This is particularly relevant when clearing up after flooding as there is a serious danger posed by carbon monoxide fumes from the indoor use of generators to dry out buildings. CO poisoning can be fatal and affect anyone. However, children, older people, pregnant women and people with heart or breathing problems are more vulnerable to its effects.

The damaging impact of smoking is being highlighted in Northern Ireland’s new campaign to tackle smoking prevalence, which is being launched today [29 December] by the Public Health Agency (PHA). Sadly one in every two smokers will die of a tobacco-related disease, so this new campaign features the story of someone who was one of those “one in two” and aims to motivate and encourage smokers to make a quit attempt.

The Health Research Authority and the Devolved Administrations are consulting on a new UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research following the initial comments period. This sets out principles of good practice in the management and conduct of health and social care research in the UK. It will replace the four separate Research Governance Frameworks previously issued by each UK Health Department.