Keeping well this Christmas

We all think of having a good time at Christmas. Stress and loneliness aren’t something people tend to talk about during the holiday period. However, at this time of year, it is extremely important to look after your own mental health and that of family and friends, says the Public Health Agency (PHA). This is particularly important as people’s alcohol consumption can increase over the festive period, which may increase feelings of stress or depression.

‘Keep Warm’ packs help some of Northern Ireland’s most vulnerable

Vulnerable people from across Northern Ireland will receive protective clothing to help them keep warm this winter, through the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) ‘Keep Warm’ scheme. The scheme aims to provide support for those most at risk who are unable to adequately heat their homes this winter, including older people, children, and those with chronic illnesses or disabilities made worse in cold weather. This regional scheme has been funded by the PHA, working in partnership with local councils, health and social care trusts, and community networks.

Public Health Agency declares measles outbreak

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has declared an outbreak of measles after four cases of the disease were detected in Northern Ireland over the past week. All four cases have occurred among young people in south Belfast. PHA has contacted the parents and guardians of other children who may have been exposed to these cases advising them of the situation and of the need to rapidly protect unvaccinated individuals with the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.

Health care takes on a cultural role

As part of their commitment to supporting and promoting the City of Culture 2013 over 60 staff from the Public Health Agency (PHA), Health and Social Care Board and the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) recently completed the WorldHost Ambassador training programme, with the aim of becoming cultural champions and volunteers during 2013.

Influenza Weekly Surveillance Bulletin, Northern Ireland, Week 47- 48 (19 November - 2 December 2012)

The Influenza Weekly Surveillance Bulletin is produced by the PHA and covers statistics for Northern Ireland. The bulletin is produced during the flu season. Click here to access the document.

PHA develops disability and equality action plans - Your response welcomed

The Public Health Agency has developed a draft Disability Action Plan and has also reviewed the actions identified as part of our audit of inequalities undertaken in 2010 and as a result produced a new draft Equality Action Plan. The purpose of our Disability Action Plan is to look at things we could be doing to promote positive attitudes towards disabled people and encourage their participation in our work areas. The Equality Action Plan looks at actions we could take to tackle inequalities across all equality categories.

HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2012

 

 

 

This report aims to provide an overview of HIV epidemiology in Northern Ireland by collating and analysing information from a number of sources. Although it reflects epidemiological trends over time, its main focus will be on data collected in 2011.

Following recent ONS guidance on data disclosure, where the number of any category of episodes in any one year is between one and four, this is reported either within a cumulative figure, or as an asterix. In addition, where the anonymised figure can be deduced from the totals, the next smallest figure will also be anonymised.

This report aims to provide an overview of HIV epidemiology in Northern Ireland by collating and analysing information from a number of sources. Although it reflects epidemiological trends over time, its main focus will be on data collected in 2011.

Subscribe to