With growing evidence of the health risks associated with sunbed use, particularly skin cancer, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) welcome the new legislation coming into effect today (May 1) from Health Minister Edwin Poots which bans people under the age of 18 from using, hiring or buying sunbeds.

The Public Health Agency, PHA, is urging parents and professionals to be aware of the early signs and symptoms of childhood diabetes to ensure youngsters are diagnosed quickly and reduce the risk of serious complications. Around 100 children are diagnosed with the condition every year in Northern Ireland and research shows the earlier a child is identified as having Type 1 diabetes the less likely they are to develop potential life-threatening complications or be admitted to hospital.

Five years on from the introduction of the ban on smoking in the workplace, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has hailed the success of the legislation, which it says is playing its part in tackling the biggest cause of preventable illness here. However, the PHA also says the overall prevalence of smoking in Northern Ireland is still high, and work must continue to encourage and assist people to quit.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is using World Malaria Day (25 April 2012) to warn travellers to take precautions on how to avoid this serious, sometimes fatal disease spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes in tropical countries. The number of malaria infections recorded among UK residents has increased by almost 30% in the last two years. Malaria is common in many tropical countries, including large areas of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, parts of the Middle and Far East and some Pacific Ocean Islands.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is marking European Immunisation Week (21–27 April 2012) by celebrating the excellent childhood immunisation uptake levels being achieved in Northern Ireland, which are well above the UK average.

The Public Health Agency has identified early child development as a key priority. The evidence is overwhelming and it is clear that these early years are critically important for many aspects of health throughout life. As part of this work, a plan is being developed to address the health and wellbeing needs of very young children and their families living in Lisburn following research funding of £20,000 from the Public Health Agency (PHA).