With just under half of eligible pre-schoolers having received this year’s flu vaccine, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging parents to get young children vaccinated ahead of Christmas to help protect not only them, but also family members.

Christmas can pose challenges for people living with dementia, and those close to them. Here are some tips to help everyone enjoy the festive season. In the lead up to the Christmas period involve your loved one who has dementia:

About one third of people over the age of 65 years fall each year, yet around 50 percent of falls are known to be preventable. The Public Health Agency (PHA), in association with all the councils in Northern Ireland, is urging everyone to identify factors that can increase the risk of falling and take steps to prevent them from occurring. Hilary Johnston, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA, said: “Falls continue to be the leading cause of accidental death in the home, with the incidence of falling increasing as people get older.

Across Northern Ireland, families are being encouraged to sit down with their loved ones on Monday December 11 and discuss their wishes on organ donation.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in place for Wednesday and continuing into Thursday. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising everyone to look after themselves and their neighbours during the cold snap. For some the onset of the cold weather can bring many hazards. Vulnerable and older people can find it difficult to get out to the shops or to keep their house adequately heated during the cold weather, putting them at risk. The PHA is encouraging everyone to look out for those who may be more vulnerable during the cold weather and check that they are ok.

With the Christmas party season in full swing the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to be mindful of their alcohol intake. Many people do not realise that alcohol is a powerful drug and we need to be careful how we use it. Drinking too much can seriously affect our health.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) are urging people who have experienced bereavement, whether the death was expected or sudden and in any care setting or at home, to share their story through the 10,000 More Voices programme to help shape how care is delivered in Northern Ireland.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is using World AIDS Day today as an opportunity to raise awareness about HIV and encourage people to practise safer sex and get tested if they think they might be at risk. This comes as the PHA publishes its ‘HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2017’ report, which provides analysis of the latest HIV data for Northern Ireland.