The Healthcare Associated Infections in European Long Term Care Facilities (HALT) project is a point prevalence survey of nursing homes in European countries including Northern Ireland. The survey, which is taking place in September 2010, is being coordinated by the PHA along with staff from each participating nursing home. Why is it important to collect this information on nursing homes?

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is today highlighting the fact that Northern Ireland now has the highest percentage of babies born in Baby Friendly hospitals in the whole of the UK with 61% of all babies born here being provided with the opportunity to get off to a better start in the way they are fed and cared for.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) recognise the need for a calcium enriched diet.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) encourages Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) to take part in the largest ever internet survey for gay men, bisexual men and other men who are attracted to men.The European Man-for-Man Internet Survey (EMIS) asks about relationships, sex life, risks, precautions and use of health services, and is available online until Tuesday 31 August 2010.

Parents attending the ‘Happy Hands’ parent and toddler group in Newry have received training highlighting the importance of promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles for the under 5s. ‘Happy Hands’ was established four years ago in Newry by a small group of parents who are deaf or have deaf children. The purpose of the training was to raise awareness of the ‘Healthy Steps for Life’ programme, developed by the Southern Investing for Health Partnership (SIHP) and funded by the Public Health Agency.

If you are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or unsure of your sexual orientation, there are organisations that can provide support and guidance. Belfast Pride: www.belfastpride.comIreland’s largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans festival appealing to audiences of over 10,000 people in the summer of each year.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the importance of safer sex and HIV testing for men who have sex with men (MSM) during the Belfast Pride festival this week.Recent figures show 396 people in Northern Ireland are living with HIV infection with 186 people becoming infected through sex between men – a figure that has been on the rise since 2000.

The Public Health Agency has welcomed the publication of the UK Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE) Perinatal Mortality 2008 report. The report acknowledged an encouraging decline over the last 10 years in the frequency of deaths in the first week of life across the UK. This trend is also reflected in Northern Ireland. This reduction is even more encouraging given the changing risk profile of pregnant women in Northern Ireland, where the proportion of births to older mothers and mothers from outside the UK and Ireland has increased.

Following the recent episode of flooding in Armagh, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has advised people to be cautious when dealing with flood water.Dr Gerry Waldron, Health Protection Consultant for the PHA, said: “When flooding occurs the risk of contracting any illness is generally low. However, as it is not always clear whether water is contaminated or not, the safest approach is for people to assume that flood water is contaminated.”Dr Waldron continued: "You can take a number of precautions to prevent health problems if you have experienced a flooding incident: