Mums-to-be in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT) area have been learning how to manage their diet and stay physically active to manage their weight. This project has been developed by Southern Trust midwives, dietitians and physiotherapists in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Kilkeel Leisure Centre. The project, funded by the PHA, has been developed to address the increasing levels of obesity in pregnancy that can increase health risks to mother and baby during pregnancy and birth.

The Public Health Agency, PHA, is leading a detailed investigation into the potential source of an outbreak of Listeria among hospital patients in Northern Ireland. Four cases including one death have been reported previously and two further cases have been confirmed. There have been no new cases identified since 18 April 2012.

Fun skipping workshops, funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), are encouraging children across Northern Ireland to take their recommended 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Twenty-five workshops are being delivered by NI at Play to local schools to promote physical activity in a fun way.

Kilkeel High School pupils, who won first place in a UK-wide public speaking competition for young people following their emotive speech on organ donation and presumed consent, have been praised by the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Chief Executive Dr Eddie Rooney, who is also Chair of the Northern Ireland Organ Donation Task Force Implementation Group.

Each year, millions of patients around the world are affected by healthcare associated infections, many of which are preventable through ensuring good hand hygiene, therefore the Public Health Agency (PHA) is sending out a clear message – SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands.

With growing evidence of the health risks associated with sunbed use, particularly skin cancer, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) welcome the new legislation coming into effect today (May 1) from Health Minister Edwin Poots which bans people under the age of 18 from using, hiring or buying sunbeds.

The Public Health Agency, PHA, is urging parents and professionals to be aware of the early signs and symptoms of childhood diabetes to ensure youngsters are diagnosed quickly and reduce the risk of serious complications. Around 100 children are diagnosed with the condition every year in Northern Ireland and research shows the earlier a child is identified as having Type 1 diabetes the less likely they are to develop potential life-threatening complications or be admitted to hospital.

Five years on from the introduction of the ban on smoking in the workplace, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has hailed the success of the legislation, which it says is playing its part in tackling the biggest cause of preventable illness here. However, the PHA also says the overall prevalence of smoking in Northern Ireland is still high, and work must continue to encourage and assist people to quit.