As the new school year approaches, parents are being encouraged to think about what they pack in their children’s lunchboxes and to choose a healthier option for the best start to the school year. The message from the Public Health Agency (PHA) for those preparing the packed lunch and snack for break is to steer clear of sugary drinks and snacks high in added sugar, fat and salt, and to remember that children only need kid-sized portions.
Public Health Agency - 006
Name of Contract: Community Based Psychological Intervention & Support Services for people who Self Harm including provision of Family/Carer Services
Total Annual Contract Value £719k
Contract Duration: This contract will run for 2 years from 1 Sept 2015 - 31 August 2017 with a possible 3 x 12 month extensions until 31 August 2020
Belfast HSCT area - Community Wellbeing Alliance
Northern HSCT area - Zest
Southern HSCT area - NIAMH
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has issued further advice on e-cigarettes to help people make informed decisions.
Smoking tobacco is very harmful to health. The short and long term effects of smoking are well known and smoking remains the single biggest cause of early death in Northern Ireland. A typical smoker dies 10-15 years earlier than they would do if they didn’t smoke.
Exam celebrations – take time to talk to your young people
With thousands of young people due to receive their exam results, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging parents to talk to their children about the risks associated with drinking and taking drugs. Many teenagers will go out with friends when they get exam results, whether they are celebrating or commiserating. Both scenarios can lead to excessive drinking or drug taking, so there’s an important role for parents to talk to their children about the risks.
Londonderry/Derry man hails life-saving screening programme
A Londonderry/Derry man has spoken of his relief when a simple scan detected a potentially life-threatening condition – an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all men aged 65 and over to consider taking up the offer of screening for this serious condition.
Baby friendly is best for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hospitals are now the most baby friendly in the UK after three more were awarded the prestigious UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Award. The initiative works with public services to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and to strengthen mother-baby and family relationships. Support for these relationships is important for all babies, not only those who are breastfed.
School leavers urged to get new meningitis vaccine
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging school leavers and first-time university students to get the new meningococcal vaccine which is available from today [3 August]. Through a new immunisation programme, everyone born between 2 July 1996 and 1 July 1997, and first time university students up to the age of 25, will be offered the Men ACWY vaccine.
World Hepatitis Day – get tested and prevent the spread
To mark World Hepatitis Day today [28 July], the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people who think they may be at risk of hepatitis B or C infection in particular to get tested and prevent the spread. Viral hepatitis kills 4,000 people every day worldwide and, although not very common in Northern Ireland, it is estimated 400 million people across the globe are infected.