Many people will be looking forward to the bank holiday this weekend [Monday 29 May] and with good weather expected the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are urging people to have fun outdoors, but are reminding them to take care in the sun. Dr Miriam McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA, explained: “Being active and having fun outside is good for our health. It improves our moods, allows us to get more active and provides vitamin D.

This week (29 May-4 June) is National BBQ Week and the Public Health Agency (PHA) has come up with 12 tasty BBQ recipe ideas that are also a little bit kinder to the waistline! Recipes for all the tasty dishes below can be found on the PHA’s website www.choosetolivebetter.com 1. Chicken skewers with vegetables A classic for the BBQ made with an extra kick from a marinade of teriyaki sauce, garlic, chilli, lime and honey.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is welcoming public health leaders from England and the Republic of Ireland as they embark on an eight-day ‘Cities of Culture’ cycling challenge. Last year, the cycling team visited Belfast to see the PHA’s cycling initiatives and this time round they’ll be visiting Derry/Londonderry, Enniskillen and Armagh before cycling on to Kells, Co Meath and then Dublin. From there, the cyclists will sail to Liverpool and then cycle to Hull.

Belfast doctors, nurses and scientists are set to receive a major cash boost for pioneering research into cancer. Leading charity Cancer Research UK and the HSC Research and Development Division of the Public Health Agency (HSC R&D) plan to jointly invest around £1.3 million over the next five years in ground-breaking work at the Belfast Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC).

International Clinical Trials Day helps to raise awareness of the benefits of research. Each year, on International Clinical Trials Day (ICTD), HSC R&D Division and its HSC partners highlight that it’s ‘ OK to ask’ about clinical research.

A new regional integrated health and social care service working directly in mainstream primary schools supporting children has been launched today (Thursday 18 May). ‘RISE’ (Regional Integrated Support for Education) will enable staff from the health and social care and education sectors to work closely together to help children access learning and enhance their development to reach their full potential.

‘Let’s unite against dementia’ is the message from health and social care professionals during Dementia Awareness Week 2016 (14-20 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.

This week (15-19 May) is Walk to School Week and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to get more active by leaving the car at home and walking the school run. Statistics show just over three-fifths (61%) of primary school pupils are driven to or from school by car, while less than a third – only 29% – walk. For post primary, 30% of pupils are driven by car and 18% walk.