During Breastfeeding Celebration Week (20–27 June) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging mothers and breastfeeding supporters to tell others their positive stories about breastfeeding. Janet Calvert, Regional Breastfeeding Lead for the PHA, said: “Information and support is key to helping mums breastfeed and hearing positive stories of others’ experiences can add that extra bit of encouragement that mums need.

With an average of 105 women diagnosed with cervical cancer and 24 women dying from the disease each year in Northern Ireland, it is important for women to accept their invitation for a screening test. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is therefore reminding women during Cervical Screening Awareness Week (13-19 June 2016) to take up the invitation and have a regular cervical screening test – it could literally save your life.

Diabetes Week runs from 12-18 June and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the importance of physical activity in both the prevention and management of diabetes.

To mark Delirium Awareness Week (14 to 21 June), the HSC Safety Forum, part of the Public Health Agency (PHA), and Dementia Together NI, with the support of James Nesbitt, have launched an information video for patients and relatives. Jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Executive’s Delivering Social Change Fund and The Atlantic Philanthropies, the delirium workstream is one of the programmes being taken forward under the Northern Ireland Executive’s Delivering Social Change Dementia Services Signature Programme.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland, with around 3,780 cases every year. With this in mind The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland have joined forces to remind outdoor workers to protect their skin from sun damage. Farmers, builders, grounds staff and postal workers are just some of the people at higher risk of sun damage due to the length of time they spend working outdoors.

Accidents are the main cause of death for children post-infancy, with many occurring in the home. During Child Safety Week (6- 12 June) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting steps to make your home as safe as possible. Hilary Johnston, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA, said: “None of us wants to think about anything bad happening to our children, so it is important that we don’t ignore the risks but take steps to reduce the likelihood of children having an accident around the home.

Survey highlights need for more talk about palliative care More than two thirds (68%) of people with palliative care needs have said that ‘planning for the future’ is their biggest worry – in a survey of palliative care experiences across the island of Ireland. Half of palliative care users (52%) said they felt frustrated or helpless. 51% said their emotional and psychological needs were not met and 42% wanted better co-ordination of care or treatment.