Ahead of World AIDS Day on 1 December, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has published the HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2013 report. The report shows that the annual number of new first-UK diagnoses of HIV made in Northern Ireland increased by 17% from 81 in 2011 to 95 in 2012.Of the new diagnoses of HIV in Northern Ireland in 2012, 58% occurred in men who have sex with men (MSM). 639 HIV-infected residents of Northern Ireland received care for their HIV during 2012.

Latest figures show that in Northern Ireland, 216 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer in one year. With Mouth Cancer Awareness Month (1–30 November) drawing to an end, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone to continue to be vigilant of the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer and is encouraging all smokers who are thinking about giving up smoking to make the decision to stop today.

Families who have been affected by suicide have an important role to play in the vital work that is ongoing to help prevent suicide and promote mental health and wellbeing. That is according to the Public Health Agency (PHA), which is marking International Survivors of Suicide Day (23 November).

As we move closer to the height of winter, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people who are eligible for the flu vaccine but haven’t yet had it, to get it as soon as possible.

In 2013, 34,522 people in Northern Ireland were registered as having the life-threatening lung disease Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is caused primarily by smoking.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem and is already becoming a major threat to the management of infections. On European Antibiotic Awareness Day the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB), the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) are taking this opportunity to highlight the problem of antimicrobial resistance and to encourage patients and those working in health and social care to play their part in reducing the risk of resistance.