School pupils across the southern area could benefit from funding to help them pass their English and Mathematics GCSEs, thanks to a partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA). Gerry Bleakney, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement, PHA, explained: “One of the PHA’s core goals is to improve people’s wellbeing, and part of this involves empowering young people to achieve their potential.

Breakfast is probably the most important meal of the day, particularly for children ahead of a busy time at school, and skipping it can mean missing out on important vitamins and minerals. After an overnight fast of up to 12 hours or perhaps more for some children, the body needs something to kick start the metabolism.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Causeway Rural and Urban Network (CRUN), in partnership with other community networks in the Northern area, are providing free training to help protect the lives of intoxicated people at risk of self-harm or suicide. The training, funded by PHA, is for practitioners from statutory, community and voluntary sector organisations and groups in the Northern area. It will increase understanding of the links between alcohol and self-harm and improve the skills used by health professionals, and others, to support people at risk.

With the new school term just around the corner, parents are naturally turning their minds to school uniforms, schoolbags, lunchboxes and the many other preparations for the return to school. The Public Health Agency (PHA) offers some suggestions for making packed lunches full of goodness for kids.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has congratulated the Belfast Transplant Games Team on its success after retaining the coveted Rosebowl trophy for the best overall adult team for the second year in a row. Over the past four days, transplant athletes from across Northern Ireland have been competing in the Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Medway, England and have returned home with scores of medals.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is targeting £100,000 to support the improvement of mental health and wellbeing across the Northern area. Four community networks have received the funding which will enable them to award community based ‘micro’ small grants in their respective areas. Madeline Heaney, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement (Northern area), PHA, explained: “The PHA has a lead role in implementing the regional mental health promotion and suicide prevention strategies, in partnership with the community and voluntary sector and others.

Uptake rates for MMR vaccine in Northern Ireland have reached an all-time high.Statistics have shown that uptake for the vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, is 95.3% at two years of age. This exceeds the World Health Organization’s target for MMR vaccination is 95%.

To meet the need for skilled researchers within Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland, the HSC Research and Development (HSC R&D) Division at the Public Health Agency (PHA) has awarded three research fellowships. These awards will help to improve the care and treatment of people in Northern Ireland, advancing our knowledge about illness, how the human body and mind work, and how we can better prevent and treat disease.

The gold medal standard of Northern Ireland’s Paralympians can act as inspiration for everyone here to get active, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has said.