This World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the health benefits of breastfeeding and its importance to both mum and baby. More mothers in Northern Ireland are choosing to breastfeed, and more of them are continuing to do so after the first weeks and months following birth. Mary Black, Assistant Director for Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement at the PHA, said: “Quite simply, mother’s milk is the healthier choice for you and your baby. So when you decide to breastfeed, you’re giving your baby a wonderful start in life. “Any breastfeeding, even

With this Saturday marking World Hepatitis Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA), is encouraging those who think they may be at risk of having the infection to get tested and treated. Viral hepatitis kills 4,000 people every day worldwide and, although not very common in Northern Ireland, it is estimated 400 million people across the globe are infected. There are five main types of viral hepatitis, but types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis B and C viruses are spread by

Carbon monoxide (CO) can be a hidden killer during the summer months, and with many of us heading away on camping, caravanning or boating holidays, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging holidaymakers to be aware of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in enclosed spaces. While carbon monoxide is usually associated with domestic fossil fuel-burning appliances, incidents and even deaths can also occur in caravans and on boats. “Carbon monoxide can build up very quickly in enclosed spaces to levels that can kill,” said Hilary Johnston, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the