With the festive party season in full swing, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to watch their alcohol intake over Christmas. Many people across Northern Ireland will be gearing up for office parties, family gatherings and nights out with friends when it will be all too easy to overindulge.

With almost one in five people showing signs of a possible mental health problem, Northern Ireland’s new campaign on mental health, which features legendary boxing trainer Gerry Storey, is urging people to talk about their problems. The Public Health Agency (PHA) campaign, which will raise awareness of the issue across TV, radio, print and online media, aims to highlight that people who have experienced feelings of anxiety, distress or despair can go on to recover with support.

Dr Lourda Geoghegan, Consultant in Health Protection from Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland (PHA) is one of 18 health professionals in the UK to be selected for the prestigious GenerationQ, a pioneering leadership programme from the independent healthcare charity the Health Foundation. The fellowship has a track record of developing leaders who understand how complex health systems work and who inspire others to transform healthcare quality and bring about sustainable, system-wide change.

Members of the Traveller community and their support organisations joined the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Health and Social Care Board at an event on Thursday 5 December in Belfast to mark Traveller Focus Week. The aim was to share progress made over the previous year and celebrating good practice in meeting the health and wellbeing needs of Travellers.

Ahead of World AIDS Day on 1 December, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has published the HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2013 report. The report shows that the annual number of new first-UK diagnoses of HIV made in Northern Ireland increased by 17% from 81 in 2011 to 95 in 2012.Of the new diagnoses of HIV in Northern Ireland in 2012, 58% occurred in men who have sex with men (MSM). 639 HIV-infected residents of Northern Ireland received care for their HIV during 2012.

Latest figures show that in Northern Ireland, 216 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer in one year. With Mouth Cancer Awareness Month (1–30 November) drawing to an end, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone to continue to be vigilant of the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer and is encouraging all smokers who are thinking about giving up smoking to make the decision to stop today.