In Northern Ireland approximately 185* people are diagnosed with mouth cancer every year, with more than one third dying from the disease. Although mouth cancer awareness month (1–30 November) is ending soon 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 thinking about stopping smoking to make the decision to stop today.

It’s that time of year again; the time when you start hearing coughing and sneezing throughout the office and working days are lost due to winter viruses. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising all employers of ways colds and flu can be reduced in the workplace, leading to less sick days and a more productive workforce.

A stillbirth seminar was organised today (Thursday 22 November) by the Northern Ireland Maternal and Child Health centre (NIMACH), part of the Public Health Agency (PHA), to bring together leading national and international experts to address clinical issues surrounding stillbirth. Stillbirth is when a pregnancy has carried to 24 weeks or more, but sadly the baby dies before it is born. Reasons for a stillbirth are complex and not always understood.

Examining innovative ways to help people who are drinking at hazardous and harmful levels is the subject of a conference being held today [19 November] by the Public Health Agency (PHA) in Antrim.

Representatives from TF3 and the Centre for Connected Health and Social Care (CCHSC) were honoured and delighted to receive two Crystal Awards at the Telecare Services Association’s (TSA) annual ceremony, held in Birmingham on 13 November. Not only did the consortium win in the Innovative Product or Service Development category, it was also pronounced Overall Winner.

As winter fast approaches and we begin to turn on the heating, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising people during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (19 - 23 November 2012), to buy and fit a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. CO poisoning can be fatal and affect anyone. However, children, older people, pregnant women and people with heart or breathing problems are more vulnerable to its effects.

Ahead of this year’s International Survivors of Suicide Day, Families’ Voices Forum and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is hosting a joint event today in Antrim to look at what can be done to assist families bereaved by suicide across Northern Ireland and to enable bereaved individuals to come together to discuss their experiences.