The Public Health Agency (PHA) is marking World Aids Day on the 1 December by publishing the HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2011 report. This highlights the continuing increasing trend in the number of annual new HIV diagnoses seen in recent years. The number of new HIV diagnoses in Northern Ireland rose by 3%, from 80 in 2010 to 82 in 2011. There are now 522 people living with HIV infection in Northern Ireland, an increase of 10% on 2010.

Sixty minutes of exercise a day is recommended for all children. With this in mind the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the importance of physical activity this Christmas. In particular the Agency is urging parents to help children reach this target by choosing gifts that encourage physical activity and play.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) recently issued over £272,000 in small grants to 64 statutory, community and voluntary organisations in the South Eastern area for projects which promote health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. Some 64 voluntary and community sector organisations shared funding of £272,756 to deliver a range of activities which support the Agency’s efforts to ensuring a decent standard of living for all and making healthier choices easier.

In Northern Ireland approximately 185* people are diagnosed with mouth cancer every year, with more than one third dying from the disease. Although mouth cancer awareness month (1–30 November) is ending soon 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 thinking about stopping smoking to make the decision to stop today.

It’s that time of year again; the time when you start hearing coughing and sneezing throughout the office and working days are lost due to winter viruses. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising all employers of ways colds and flu can be reduced in the workplace, leading to less sick days and a more productive workforce.

A stillbirth seminar was organised today (Thursday 22 November) by the Northern Ireland Maternal and Child Health centre (NIMACH), part of the Public Health Agency (PHA), to bring together leading national and international experts to address clinical issues surrounding stillbirth. Stillbirth is when a pregnancy has carried to 24 weeks or more, but sadly the baby dies before it is born. Reasons for a stillbirth are complex and not always understood.

Examining innovative ways to help people who are drinking at hazardous and harmful levels is the subject of a conference being held today [19 November] by the Public Health Agency (PHA) in Antrim.

Representatives from TF3 and the Centre for Connected Health and Social Care (CCHSC) were honoured and delighted to receive two Crystal Awards at the Telecare Services Association’s (TSA) annual ceremony, held in Birmingham on 13 November. Not only did the consortium win in the Innovative Product or Service Development category, it was also pronounced Overall Winner.