Smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable illness, premature death and health inequality throughout Northern Ireland. Around 2,300 people die prematurely each year from smoking-related illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke and many cancers.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is today issuing advice aimed at preventing stimulant-related death and illness. The PHA has produced guidance aimed at anyone who comes into contact with stimulant drug users through work in the community and voluntary sector or in healthcare settings. Stimulants include ecstasy, cocaine, speed, mephedrone and para-Methoxyamphetamine (PMA). Many of what are commonly known as ‘legal highs’ are stimulants and are usually in powder, capsule or pill form.

The theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day on 14 November is ‘ Healthy Living and Diabetes’. With this in mind, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone across Northern Ireland to be aware of how type 2 diabetes can be prevented, the harm it can cause to your health and what the signs and symptoms are to ensure early diagnosis. In Northern Ireland diabetes affects over 79,000 adults, however, many cases of diabetes are preventable and are the result of obesity.

November is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone as the temperature drops and people turn up the heat to be aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO poisoning can kill and in the winter months, when people use their heating appliances more frequently, there are often more incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) will today [November 6] hold a maternal and infant nutrition conference on how to give our children the best start in life and ensure that they have a long and healthy future. Speakers at the event will explain the importance of good nutrition during pregnancy and in the first five years of life, and the influence this has on a child’s health through to adulthood.

Today is National Stress Awareness Day and according to the Public Health Agency (PHA) it’s the perfect opportunity to take time out from our busy lives to reduce the amount of stress we experience. Madeline Heaney, Regional Lead for Mental Health and Wellbeing at the PHA, explained: “Everyone experiences a certain amount of stress in their lives – unfortunately it’s a normal part of day-to-day living and we can’t avoid it – but for some of us it becomes more of a problem as too much stress for too long has a negative impact on your health and wellbeing.