When Erin Bonar from Ballycarry sadly passed away at the age of five in March last year, her mum Susan and dad Karl agreed to donate their beautiful, little girl’s organs. Erin helped save and transform the lives of three young children and an adult. Talking about her family’s experience, Susan explains why she is encouraging others to speak up and discuss their wishes early with their loved ones.

With the better weather, many families will be planning day trips over the coming weeks, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the importance of personal hygiene when visiting farms and swimming pools. Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “Summer is a great time for day trips, but we want people to have pleasant memories, so by following a few simple hygiene tips, you can have a fantastic time and stay well.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is welcoming public health leaders from Yorkshire as they embark on an eight-day cycling challenge.

Strokes claim the lives of around 1,000 people in Northern Ireland every year. It is the third most common cause of death and the greatest cause of adult disability. The month of May is Action on Stroke Month, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people to ‘think FAST’ if they see someone having a stroke.

1,620 employees from 36 companies across Northern Ireland have been tackling their weight and changing their lifestyles, supported by their employers who took part in Business in the Community’s £ for lb 12 week Challenge. Collectively, the employees lost 9,467 lbs (676 stone) – this equates to the weight of 52 average-sized UK men, or more than the weight of the average killer whale! In total, participants lost 1,509 waist inches which is almost the same height as Victoria Square.

‘Remember the person behind the dementia’ is the message from health and social care professionals during Dementia Awareness Week 2016 (15-21 May). The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) are working jointly with the Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia NI and Health and Social Care Trusts to promote a culture which ensures people with dementia are supported to live with dignity and without stigma.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to use Mental Health Awareness Week (16-22 May) to take time out to think about our own mental health and what we can do to improve it.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced that pregnant women can now avail of the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination from week 16 of their pregnancy. The change comes following advice from the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), based on a study which showed that protection for the baby from vaccination is likely to be better if the mum is immunised earlier in pregnancy. The vaccine was previously aimed at women in weeks 28 to 32 of pregnancy.

This statistical profile of children’s health has been produced using data from the Northern Ireland Maternity and the Northern Ireland Child Health Systems. It provides some comparative data across the UK and Ireland and breaks down key indicators such as birth weight, gestation, maternal BMI, maternal smoking, delivery methods, breastfeeding status, P1 and P8 children’s weight by Trust, Local Government District, maternal age, deprivation quintiles, ethnicity and hospital where appropriate as well as outlining why these aspects are so important in children’s health.

During Dying Matters Awareness Week (9-15 May 2015) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone to take the opportunity to talk openly with those closest to them about their wishes about their future care, dying, death and bereavement. This year’s theme is 'The Big Conversation', and we will be encouraging the public to talk to each other about dying, death and bereavement, because "Talking about dying won't make it happen!"