Health Minister Mike Nesbitt today announced the first locations for Live Better, a new initiative on addressing health inequalities. The initial phase of the programme will involve neighbourhoods in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, with the intention of expanding the approach, should it prove effective, across multiple urban and rural communities. Describing this new approach, the Minister stated: “I have been clear from the outset that I want to make a real and lasting difference to the health and wellbeing of the people of Northern Ireland, and in particular to reduce the unfair differences

Education Minister Paul Givan and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt opened a conference to celebrate the first year of a jointly-funded Special Educational Needs and Disability Partnership project which is delivered by the Public Health Agency (PHA). The conference showcased the work of the ‘Special School Community Partnerships’ pilot involving seven Special Schools from across Northern Ireland. The partnerships involve those working in education, health, local government, statutory agencies and the voluntary and community sector. The pilot project demonstrated the benefits of supportive and

Issued on 16 October by Sands UK Sands, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, is introducing a National Bereavement Care Pathway (NBCP) across Northern Ireland, to help improve care for people who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss. The introduction of NBCP in Northern Ireland has been made possible by funding from the Public Health Agency (PHA) and aims to reduce inequalities and improve the quality of bereavement care provided to parents and families. Good quality bereavement care is vital for parents who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy, or whose baby has died. This

This Positive Ageing Month (October) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to recognise and celebrate the valuable role older people play in our society. Jeff Scroggie, Regional Lead for Ageing Well at the PHA, said: “Older people play an integral part in strengthening our communities and neighbourhoods – as workers, carers, volunteers, activists and community connectors. However, these vital contributions can often be overlooked.” To help address issues of health inequalities, encourage positive ageing and promote inter-generational connections, Age-Friendly Coordinators are