Dying matters – Be ready for it!

Palliative and end of life care is everybody’s business, and to mark ‘Dying Matters Awareness Week’ (13 - 19 May 2013) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone to take the opportunity to talk openly about dying, death and bereavement with those closest to them. The theme for this year’s Dying Matters Awareness Week is ‘Be ready for it’, a focused call to action aimed at encouraging members of the public to take five simple steps to make their end of life experience better, both for them and for their loved ones. The five steps are:

Directory of services to help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing

These five directories list the organisations that offer services to help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing. Where possible, additional information has also been provided, such as websites or email addresses and contact details within each Health and Social Care Trust area.

Protecting you and your baby: Screening tests for infectious diseases in pregnancy

This leaflet gives information on the blood tests that are normally offered and recommended at the first antenatal visit. These tests look for possible health problems that could affect the mother’s health and the health of the baby. Only o

This leaflet gives information on the blood tests that are normally offered and recommended at the first antenatal visit. These tests look for possible health problems that could affect the mother’s health and the health of the baby. Only one sample of blood is needed to do all six tests. The tests are done by consent and this leaflet should help pregnant women make their decision.

Skin cancer prevention

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Northern Ireland and accounts for 28% of all cancers diagnosed here, with incidence rising over recent decades. Between 1984 and 2005, for example, the incidence of malignant melanoma for both males and females almost trebled.  Between 1993 and 2009, the number of new cases of non-melanoma cancers increased from 2,081 to 3,301 cases. 

Vine vid tips to get park kit fit

Using Twitter's new video app Vine, the PHA has produced a series of videos lasting just six seconds each to show you how to use the fitness equipment available in outdoor gyms across Belfast. Funded by Belfast City Council and the Public Health Agency under the Active Belfast Programme, the gyms are located at the heart of our communities to provide a fun way for people to get fit.

Get the facts on AAA screening at the Balmoral Show

Research shows that men are approximately six times more likely to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) than women and the chance of having an aneurysm increases with age – at the age of 65, about one in every 40 men will have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. With this in mind, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is hosting an AAA screening stand at this year’s Balmoral Show to increase awareness of the screening programme and to encourage uptake by people who are eligible.

Eat well, keep well and reduce your risk of cancer

What we eat affects our health. With just a few small changes to what we eat every day, we can help to protect against major illnesses, including some cancers. These changes can also give our health an extra boost.

Enjoy healthy eating

What we eat every day has a big impact on our health – from the amount of energy we have when we get up in the morning to our risk of developing conditions like heart disease and cancer in the future.

 What we eat every day has a big impact on our health – from the amount of energy we have when we get up in the morning to our risk of developing conditions like heart disease and cancer in the future. A healthy diet doesn’t have to be boring or restrictive – we can still eat a wide range of delicious foods, while keeping an eye on our intake of sugar, fat and salt.

Weaning made easy: moving from milk to family meals (English and translations)

As a parent, you want the best start for your baby. What your child eats and drinks is important for their health now and in the future. 

As a parent, you want the best start for your baby.

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