Healthy tips for a healthy school lunch

As the new school year approaches, it can be difficult to think up healthy lunch and snack ideas for the children’s packed lunch, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) has some handy advice and tips on choosing a healthier option for the best start to the school year. The main message is to steer clear of sugary drinks and snacks high in added fat, salt and sugars and to remember that children only need kid-sized portions.

Exam celebrations – take time to talk to our young people

With thousands of young people due to receive their exam results, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging parents to talk to their children about the risks associated with drinking alcohol and taking drugs. Many teenagers will go out with friends when they get exam results, whether they are celebrating or commiserating. Both scenarios can lead to excessive drinking or drug taking, so there’s an important role for parents to talk to their children about the risks.

Knowing all the signs of stroke could save a life

Strokes claim the lives of around 1,000 people in Northern Ireland every year. It is the third most common cause of death and the greatest cause of adult disability, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people of the a range of signs and symptoms of stroke. Dr Brid Farrell, Assistant Director of Service Development at the PHA, said: “Stroke is an attack on the brain. It happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off and brain cells are damaged or die.

PHA Annual report and accounts 2015-2016

The Public Health Agency Annual report 2015–2016 provides background information about the PHA, highlights the achievements during the 2015–2016 financial year and provides an overview of work undertaken in priority areas within each directorate of the organisation.

The full financial accounts are included in this report as is information on members of the PHA board.

Food in school evaluation

The following are seven summary papers detailing findings from an evaluation of the Food in Schools programme, conducted by the Public Health Agency, on behalf of the Food in Schools Forum chaired by the Department of Education (DE) in 2012.

Shingles vaccine: still time to get simple jab which can prevent painful condition

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding all people aged 70 years old that they are still able to receive the shingles vaccine. The vaccine will help protect them against the common and painful skin disease and its complications. However, with just over half of people eligible for the jab actually choosing to receive it, time is running out before their age moves them out of the target groups, which turn over on 1 September each year. Eligibility for the vaccine is determined by a person’s age on 1 September.

Public support is key during World Breastfeeding Week

Next week is World Breastfeeding Week 2016 (1-7 August) and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to show support for mums who breastfeed in public. The theme for the week, which is coordinated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, is “A Key to Sustainable Development” – highlighting how breastfeeding is a key element in getting us to think about valuing wellbeing from the very start of life, respecting each other, caring for the world we share and making best use of our resources.

Can you help prevent the spread of hepatitis on World Hepatitis Day?

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people who think they may be at risk of hepatitis B or C to get tested and prevent the spread on World Hepatitis Day (28 July). Viral hepatitis is a group of infectious diseases known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. It kills 4,000 people every day worldwide and, although not very common in Northern Ireland, it is estimated 400 million people across the globe are infected. These infections can be prevented, but most people don't know how.

New initiative to tackle drugs on our streets

An initiative known as RAPID (Remove All Prescription and Illegal Drugs), which is helping to remove illegal and prescription drugs from our streets by providing drug disposal bins, is to be rolled out across Northern Ireland after a successful pilot. This new initiative is just the latest in a wide range of coordinated action across agencies to reduce harm from the misuse of alcohol and drugs.

Sarcoma Awareness Month – do you know what to look for?

July is Sarcoma Cancer Awareness Month, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the key signs and symptoms of sarcoma cancer and is urging people to talk to their GP if they think something is wrong. Sarcomas are rare malignant tumours that arise from transformed cells of the connective tissues such as muscle, fat, cartilage or bone. Around 8 out of 10 sarcomas occur in soft tissue although they can affect any part of the body.
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