| HSC Public Health Agency

Getting to know your baby

This leaflet is for women who are pregnant and describes how they can start connecting with their baby. It explains what babies need to feel safe and secure and will help new mothers get off to a good start with feeding and caring for their babies. The leaflet also contains information on breastfeeding.

Healthy breaks: tasty tips for the under fives

Read more about Healthy breaks: tasty tips for the under fives

Today the Public Health Agency (PHA) is launching a new resource pack designed to assist nursery schools and playgroups deliver a healthy breaks scheme. All nursery schools and playgroups in Northern Ireland will receive the pack – ‘Healthy breaks for pre-school children’ – which includes a poster and information leaflets for parents explaining why a healthy break is so important for pre-school children and some tips and ideas for healthy nutritious breaks.

Healthy breaks for pre-school children poster (English and Irish translation)

Poster explaining why a healthy break is important.

Healthy breaks for pre-school children leaflet (English and Irish translation)

Leaflet for parents explaining why a healthy break is so important for pre-school children and some tips and ideas for healthy nutritious breaks.

PDF versions have been updated with advice on halving small fruits and vegetables like grapes and cherry tomatoes.

Consultation begins on volunteering in health and social care

Read more about Consultation begins on volunteering in health and social care

The Health and Social Care Board and Public Health Agency have developed a draft plan for volunteering in health and social care. Volunteering has always played a significant role in the delivery of health and social care in Northern Ireland. Volunteers add value to the work of paid staff by providing befriending, meeting and greeting, transport, chaplaincy, meal time support, breastfeeding support and many other roles.

Transform from couch potato to runner bean this New Year

Read more about Transform from couch potato to runner bean this New Year

To coincide with the start of National Obesity Awareness Week, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is today urging people to take up the challenge ‘From Couch Potato to Runner Bean in 10 weeks’. The PHA, in partnership with five local councils in the western area, will roll out a number of community obesity challenges and programmes between now and March.

Census 2011 data now included in the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS)

Read more about Census 2011 data now included in the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS)

The NILS is a large-scale record linkage study of approximately 500,000 people that was created by linking statistical and administrative data sources. The NILS previously included the 2001 Census returns, demographic and migration events, and vital events (births and deaths)...and as of December 2013 now also includes 2011 Census data.