The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all men aged 65 and over to seriously consider taking up the offer of having Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening. The aorta is the main artery that supplies blood to your body. It runs from your heart down through your chest and abdomen (belly). As some people get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak and balloon out to form an aneurysm, rather like a bulge in a worn tyre. This is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

The Food Standards Agency and safefood are urging the public to stop washing raw chicken The UK-wide research, launched today to mark the start of Food Safety Week, (June 16-22) shows that while 90% of people in Northern Ireland are familiar with the names of other bacteria like salmonella and E.coli, only 19% had ever heard of campylobacter (cam-pie-lo-bac-tor), which is commonly found in raw chicken.

How public health innovations, research and practice meet the diverse needs of our population will be the focus of the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Annual Scientific Conference, taking place today [16 June]. Some people find it more difficult to enjoy their full health and minority groups can experience poorer health outcomes and have significantly lower access to services, so understanding the distribution of determinants of health within these groups is essential to reduce health inequalities.

The long-awaited World Cup is just about to kick off in Brazil and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is cheering on football fans to make good health their goal during the tournament.The PHA has produced some healthy tips for those watching the matches over the next few weeks.

During Carers’ Week (9–15 June 2014) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people who have been a carer for someone with a progressive medical condition which is unlikely to be cured to help improve patients’ experience by completing a major all-island survey of care experiences. The 'Let’s Talk About' survey is the first of its kind and continues until the end of January 2015. It is being led by the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) with support from the PHA and Health Service Executive (HSE) in the Republic of Ireland.

With over 75,000 adults in Northern Ireland affected by diabetes, during Diabetes Week (8 to 14 June) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone across Northern Ireland to be aware of how type 2 diabetes can be prevented, the dangers it can cause to your health and what the signs and symptoms of diabetes are to help ensure early diagnosis. Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose in the blood is too high. This is because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (or in some cases none at all), to help glucose enter the body’s cells.

In light of the recent heavy downpours and with another spell of unsettled weather expected the Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising people of the potential public health risks associated with flooding. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning as heavy rain and gales are expected as a result of Storm Frank.

With the majority of cases of cervical cancer occurring in women who have either never had a screening test, or who have not had a screening test in the last three to five years, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding women during Cervical Screening Awareness Week (7–13 June) to take up the invitation to have a regular screening test for cervical cancer – it could literally save your life.

Smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable illness, premature death and health inequality throughout Northern Ireland, with approximately 2,300 people dying prematurely each year from smoking-related illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke and many cancers. Every year on 31 May, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. For WNTD 2014, WHO is calling on countries to raise taxes on tobacco.