As students were signing up for new clubs and societies at Queen’s Fresher’s fair, the Public Health Agency (PHA) alongside the Northern Ireland Transplant Association (NITA) and specialist nurses from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) hosted a stall to promote the NHS Organ Donor Register.

‘Flu is more serious than you think – so get the flu jab now’– that is the message from the Public Health Agency (PHA) as the seasonal flu vaccination programme gets underway for 2011/12. The PHA is urging all those in ‘at risk’ groups, including pregnant women at all stages of pregnancy, to get their flu vaccine early.

Health Minister Edwin Poots has called together key figures in tackling suicide and reaffirmed his commitment to tackling rising rates in Northern Ireland. The Minister requested the workshop in Belfast, which brought together key people from the community and voluntary sectors to consider what further action could be taken to help tackle rising levels of suicide and self-harm in local communities. The workshop was organised by the Public Health Agency (PHA).

A new Scoping report on drugs and alcohol services in Belfast, produced by the Belfast Drug and Alcohol Working Group (BDAWG) for the Public Health Agency (PHA) has recommended that a Belfast-focused approach is adopted to tackling drug and alcohol misuse in the city.

Rabies is a preventable disease, but it kills up to 55,000 people each year. Therefore on World Rabies Day, 28 September 2011, the Public Health Agency (PHA) wants to raise awareness and understanding about the importance of seeking medical advice on whether the country or countries people are visiting require vaccination against this serious disease.

Despite over 500,000 people signing up throughout Northern Ireland to the NHS Organ Donor Register, there are still not enough organs available for transplant. With this in mind the Public Health Agency (PHA) will be hosting a stand at Queen’s University Freshers’ Fair on 28 September to increase awareness of this important issue and to help improve rates of organ donation in Northern Ireland.

On World Heart Day, 29 September 2011, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all smokers to stop smoking and reduce their risk of developing heart disease (cardiovascular disease – CVD) or suffering a stroke or a heart attack. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death and illness in the UK. Research shows that smoking is one of the main contributors of the disease, causing around 25,000 deaths a year in the UK.

As ‘fresher’s week’ commences, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging students across Northern Ireland to avoid binge drinking and to know their limits if they do choose to drink alcohol.