The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to discover the benefits of reducing salt in their diet during National Salt Awareness Week. The theme for this year’s awareness week (10-16 March) is “Switch the Salt” and highlights how eating less salt can lower blood pressure, a condition that can often lead to serious health problems.

Northern Ireland Paralympic skier Kelly Gallagher spends a lot of time on the snow, but she is aware that although it may be cold she still needs to protect herself from the sun’s rays. Sunscreen is one holiday essential that often gets left behind when people take a winter holiday. The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are reminding people not to forget about the sunscreen during their winter get-away. Whether you are heading to the ski slopes or jetting off for some winter sun, it is important to stay safe in the sun during your break.

This year’s Public Health Annual Scientific Conference under the theme of ‘Recognising diversity in Public Health’ is taking place on Monday 16 June 2014, Riddel Hall, Stranmillis. This all-day conference will focus on how public health innovations, research and practice are meeting the needs of minority groups.

People living in the Southern Trust area will be able to make a splash this March with leisure centres offering swimming for just £1. To support the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) ‘Give it a Go!’ initiative, which encourages people to lead healthier lifestyles, the public can pay just £1 to swim in leisure centres in Armagh, Craigavon, Banbridge and Newry and Mourne from 10-30 March.

Work to help communities prevent suicide has taken a further step forward with over 50 ASIST Trainers from across Northern Ireland completing the new ASIST 11 upgrader trainer course. The Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) enables people in a position of trust to recognise risk and learn how to intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. The Public Health Agency (PHA) funded the upgrading training as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting quality training for a range of individuals, communities and organisations.

Primary school pupils in Lisburn have been enjoying their first graduation ceremony, as part of Early Intervention Lisburn’s ‘Incredible Years Programme’. The initiative, run by the Public Health Agency (PHA), was set up to help parents understand and manage their child’s behaviour better and also to help teach children how to understand their emotions, with the aim of benefitting their long-term health and wellbeing.