In 2012, 32,973 people were registered as having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Northern Ireland. The most common cause of COPD is smoking, so to mark this year’s World COPD day, which takes place today (Wednesday 14 November), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging all smokers to make a decision to stop smoking today and reduce their risk of developing the disease – it’s never too late to quit!

Diabetes affects over 75,000 adults in Northern Ireland, however many cases of diabetes are preventable and are the result of obesity. With this in mind, on World Diabetes Day, 14 November 2012, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone across Northern Ireland to be aware of how type 2 diabetes can be prevented, the dangers it can cause to your health and what the signs and symptoms of diabetes are to ensure early diagnosis.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Environmental Health Officers from Belfast City Council are continuing to investigate an outbreak of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157 linked to Flicks restaurant in Cityside Mall, 100-150 York Street, Belfast. As of 3pm on Wednesday 7 November 2012, there were 137 confirmed cases and 164 probable cases.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) today called for people to be aware of the continuing presence of the winter vomiting virus within both the community and healthcare facilities. The PHA recommends simple, practical steps to minimise the risk of illness to others, especially older people and those with underlying conditions who may be more vulnerable.

‘Self-management and structured care of asthma are key to improving the quality of life of people living with the lifelong condition’, that’s what delegates heard at a conference hosted yesterday (07 November) by the Public Health Agency (PHA) in partnership with Asthma UK Northern Ireland, on self-management of long-term conditions.

Health and social care (HSC) workers throughout Northern Ireland are being urged by the Public Health Agency (PHA) to help reduce the spread of flu in health and social care settings by getting the free flu vaccine. The message from the PHA is ‘Don’t risk flu infection, get vaccinated early’. Mater Hospital nurse Roisin King explained that getting the flu vaccine was the sensible thing to do.

All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) in conjunction with the Public Health Agency’s Health and Social Care Research and Development Division (PHA HSC R&D) is pleased to announce two research fellowships that will focus on improving end-of-life care.

As we move into November, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people who are eligible for the flu vaccine but haven’t yet had it, to get it as soon as possible. There has been a very good start to the vaccination programme with a similar number of people vaccinated as this time last year – which had record levels of vaccine uptake.