This report aims to provide an overview of HIV epidemiology in Northern Ireland by collating and analysing information from a number of sources. Although it reflects epidemiological trends over time, its main focus will be on data collected in 2013.

New mental health campaign urges people to ‘talk to someone you trust’

The Public Health Agency’s (PHA) new mental health campaign is urging people who are feeling low to talk to someone they trust. Almost one in five people in Northern Ireland at any one time show signs of a possible mental health problem and the new campaign emphasises that people experiencing anxiety, depression or despair can and do recover. The campaign emphasises the importance of talking as the first step in the recovery journey and that recovery is possible from seeking help. The campaign emphasises a number of key messages:

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has a lead role in protecting the population from infection and environmental hazards through a range of core functions including communicable disease surveillance and monitoring, operational support & advice, and education, training and research. 

The effective management of infectious disease depends on high quality surveillance.  Surveillance of communicable gastrointestinal infectious disease provides timely information so that public health action can result. 

Raising awareness of planning for pregnancy on World Diabetes Day

The Health and Social Care Research and Development (HSC R&D) Division at the Public Health Agency (PHA) are funding a project (£90K over 12 months) to improve pregnancy planning for women with diabetes. This project is part of the HSC R&D Division’s work to improve health and social care by enabling the flow of knowledge from research to practice.

The Belfast Strategic Partnership, which is led by the Public Health Agency, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Belfast City Council, is launching the Belfast Active Travel Action Plan 2014-2020 which aims to build a healthier city by encouraging people to incorporate walking and/or cycling into their daily travel.

The travel plan aims to try to make Belfast a more vibrant city where people are healthy, fit, well-connected with one another, and use physical activity as part of their everyday lives.

COPD risk can be cut by stopping smoking now

In 2013/14, 35,663 people in Northern Ireland were registered as having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is a life-threatening lung disease caused primarily by smoking. In line with the theme for this year’s World COPD Day [Wednesday 19 November] ‘It's Not Too Late’, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging smokers to make a decision to stop smoking today and reduce their risk of developing the disease.