Healthy food in schools essential for learning and future wellbeing

A healthier approach to food in schools is being taken to improve learning opportunities and health and wellbeing by encouraging better eating habits among children. The ‘Food in Schools’ conference, held at Stranmillis University College, Belfast, today [26 February] brought together Education Minister John O’Dowd and Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride in support of the action needed to provide children with healthier food choices and nutritional information to support a healthier diet.

Important advice to pregnant women during lambing season

You know spring is on its way when you begin to see lambs appearing in the fields; however the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding pregnant women about the risk of close contact with sheep during lambing season. Pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing may be risking their own health and that of their unborn child from infections that can be transferred from ewes. It is also important to note that cows and goats which have recently given birth can also carry similar infections.

Healthy food demos cooking up a storm

People across Belfast are finding out how to cook healthy, tasty, low cost meals thanks to cookery demonstrations being organised by the Public Health Agency (PHA). The demonstrations are helping to promote the PHA’s ‘Choose to Live Better’ campaign, which helps people identify how they can take small practical steps to reduce their waist size. The cooking demonstrations will focus on creating good food that won’t break the bank.

C. difficile and S.aureus bacteraemia surveillance quarterly reports

Quarterly reports provide epidemiological data on C. difficile and S. aureus in Northern Ireland. The report highlights key points, rates, trends and statistical process control charts. The report also provides information on surveillance methods and data for each hospital and Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland.

Click here to see the latest reports

V for Victory – we can help you win in the battle against cigarettes!

As the countdown to No Smoking Day 2014 [Wednesday 12 March] gets underway, thousands of smokers across Northern Ireland were today urged to take their first step to Victory and set 12 March 2014 as their quit date. The Public Health Agency (PHA), Cancer Focus Northern Ireland and British Heart Foundation (BHF) Northern Ireland, who are part of the Northern Ireland No Smoking Day Coordinating Committee, have joined forces to call on local smokers to stop smoking and to avail of the support that is available to help them on their road to Victory.

Good Neighbourhoods for Ageing Well

Improving the lives of older people is the focus of a series of community conversations aimed at developing ‘good neighbourhoods for ageing well’. The conversation events have been initiated by the Southern Strategic Health Improvement Partnership (SSHIP) and funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA). The events will be coordinated by the local councils and will be held in Kilkeel, Dromore, Craigavon, Keady and Fivemiletown.

Regional Guidelines for the Search of Patients, their Belongings and the Environment of Care within Adult Mental Health and Learning Disability Inpatient Settings

The overarching purpose of these guidelines is to ensure the safety and promote the protection of patients, staff and visitors by ensuring that dangerous items or hazardous substances are not brought into the in-patient setting, including illicit substances, prescribed / over the counter medications, dangerous items and alcohol or any other hazardous or potentially hazardous item or substance.

Major new organ donation campaign: ‘Speak up and save a life’

Around 200 people in Northern Ireland are on the transplant waiting list and sadly around 15 people die each year waiting for an organ. Despite support for organ donation being extremely high, just 31% of the population here are on the organ donor register. To tackle this issue, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is today [Wednesday 12 February] launching its ‘Speak up and save a life’ organ donation campaign, which is aimed at raising awareness of the issue of organ donation in Northern Ireland.

Don’t give your loved one something they won’t want this Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is the day to show your loved one you care. It is also Northern Ireland’s Sexual Health Awareness week, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is asking everyone who is sexually active to protect their sexual health and that of their partner by being safe and getting tested if they have put themselves at risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

PHA urges parents to talk to their children about alcohol and drugs

In light of recent events, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding parents across Northern Ireland about the importance of talking to their children about the risks associated with alcohol and drugs. The PHA is encouraging parents to point out the dangers of intoxication to their children and to encourage them to look after their personal safety and that of their friends. There is an unhealthy drinking culture in Northern Ireland and underage drinking is just one aspect of this culture.
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