Summer is fast approaching and this is the ideal time to get into shape and lose some weight in a healthy way. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging those who want to lose weight ahead of the summer holidays to do so safely, gradually and healthily. Bright nights and the better weather mean that healthier eating can be easily combined with more physical activity such as long walks or cycling.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging pregnant women who are 28 weeks pregnant or more to get the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine, as it can protect your newborn baby in their first few weeks of life against whooping cough. Since October last year all pregnant women have been offered the whooping cough vaccination to protect their newborn babies until they can be vaccinated starting at two months of age. The vaccination of pregnant women helps to boost the short-term immunity passed on by women to their babies while they are still in the womb.

One of the biggest events in Derry/ Londonderry’s City of Culture calendar will take place this weekend with BBC Radio 1’s ‘Big Weekend’ coming to the city. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising people not to let alcohol and drugs ruin an amazing event, and to take care of one another. The Big Weekend takes place from 24-26 May and festival-goers are urged to keep safe while enjoying the jam-packed weekend of music.

The visit follows a weeklong programme of activities to showcase the key role of connected health technology in improving patient outcomes as well as promoting the local economy.

With the bank holiday weekend looming, its’ time to dust down those barbecues. So whether the sun is shining or you brave the rain, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding fans of cooking al fresco about barbecue food safety. When relaxing with friends and family around the barbecue it is easy to forget about food safety, but just because it is outside the kitchen does not mean that good hand hygiene and food safety advice do not apply.

A training workshop with the aim of building research partnerships was hosted recently by the Public Health Agency’s HSC R&D Division and the Northern Ireland Cancer Trials Centre in collaboration with Macmillan Cancer Support. The purpose of the training, which has been developed by Macmillan Cancer Support, is to bring together researchers, health professionals, service users, carers and members of the public to help improve partnership working in the area of Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) in research.

With Mental Health Awareness Week drawing to a close, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has highlighted the risks that alcohol and drugs can pose to people’s mental health and wellbeing. Owen O’Neill, the PHA’s Drug and Alcohol Lead, said: “Binge drinking and drug use, particularly in combination, can have a serious impact on your mental wellbeing as there is a strong link between drinking, drug use and depression; and hangovers and ‘coming down’ can leave you feeling anxious and low.

The Public Health agency (PHA) and the Council for the Homeless NI (CHNI) are working together to provide ‘pocket packs’ to vulnerable homeless people in Belfast. Rough sleepers are at increased risk of problems including substance misuse and exposure to cold weather which can result in problems with foot health, chest infections and hypothermia. The PHA and CHNI are working in partnership with Extern’s SUITCASE members, who have themselves, experience of substance misuse and homelessness, to assist rough sleepers in the Belfast area by providing pocket packs.

Palliative and end of life care is everybody’s business, and to mark ‘Dying Matters Awareness Week’ (13 - 19 May 2013) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone to take the opportunity to talk openly about dying, death and bereavement with those closest to them. The theme for this year’s Dying Matters Awareness Week is ‘Be ready for it’, a focused call to action aimed at encouraging members of the public to take five simple steps to make their end of life experience better, both for them and for their loved ones. The five steps are: