With thousands of young people due to receive their exam results, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging parents to talk to their children about the risks associated with drinking and taking drugs. Exam results are a huge milestone for young people and many will go out socialising with friends after they receive their results. Owen O’Neill, the PHA’s Regional Lead on Alcohol and Drugs, said that parents’ attitudes and behaviours in relation to alcohol and drugs have a strong influence on their children:

Outdoor festivals are a time to celebrate and enjoy the summer. However, the relaxed mood can lead to festival goers becoming a little too relaxed and putting themselves and others at risk. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people to follow some simple tips while at festivals this month.

Thousands of volunteers at the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) have been urged to put their best foot forward and step up to the Pedometer Challenge by Active Belfast. Working as part of Belfast Strategic Partnership, Active Belfast has supplied 3,600 pedometers to volunteers at the games so that they will be able to measure the level of their physical activity during the course of the WPFG.

To celebrate the first anniversary of the full roll-out of the Northern Ireland AAA Screening Programme, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all men aged 65 to take up the offer of having this vital health check. The aorta is the main artery that supplies blood to your body. It runs from your heart down through your chest and abdomen (belly).

Peer support could be key to helping more mothers breastfeed beyond the first few weeks of birth, according to the Public Health Agency (PHA). Today [1 August] sees the start of World Breastfeeding Week, which runs until 7 August, and the role of peer support is the main focus this year.

Ahead of World Hepatitis Day on Sunday 28 July, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people who think they may be at risk from hepatitis B or C infection to get tested. The latest figures from the PHA show that there were around 110 new cases of hepatitis B and about 130 new cases of hepatitis C reported in Northern Ireland in 2012. These figures have remained consistent for the past five years.

Long summer days are stretching ahead and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging families to get active together, combining fun and physical activity. Being active is great for the body and mind, helps to control weight, protects against heart disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes, and promotes good mental health and wellbeing. Colette Brolly, Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA said: “With the kids off school and the good weather, this is a great opportunity for children, parents and grandparents to get active together.

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. Click here for public health information.