‘Working together to increase physical activity in early years is vital to improving children’s overall health and wellbeing’ - that’s what delegates heard at a seminar about the importance of ensuring children get off to the best start in life. The seminar was jointly hosted by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the British Heart Foundation’s National Centre for Physical Activity and Health (BHFNC).
PHA urges ‘Freshers’ to think before you drink
During ‘Freshers’ Week’, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging students across Northern Ireland to think about their drinking and to know their limits if they do choose to drink alcohol.
Mapping out your physical activity in the West
New ‘Active Travel’ Maps, funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), for the cities and towns of Derry/ Londonderry, Enniskillen, Limavady, Omagh and Strabane have been launched to encourage local people and visitors to build physical activity into their day by walking, cycling, jogging, or using public transport. The Active Maps aim to promote health and wellbeing across the five district councils in the West and contain information on local cycle, walk and bus routes as well as useful contacts such as local cycle hire and sales outlets and walking groups, for example.
Students, Do You Know The Signs Of Meningitis?
Meningitis is a potentially life-threatening disease and during Meningitis Awareness Week (17-23 September) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding students to be aware of the signs and symptoms. Teenagers and young adults (14–24 years old) are more at risk, especially when away from home with no parents around to look after them.
Freshers are you vaccinated against serious infections?
As students prepare for the start of the new academic year, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging teenagers and young adults to make sure they are protected against serious infections, such as measles, mumps and rubella. The start of the university year is an exciting time, with new friends to meet, clubs to join and the start of student life. However, university bars and campuses, where lots of students are in close proximity, are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses to spread.
PHA small grants to improve health and wellbeing: now open
Community, voluntary and statutory organisations within the South Eastern area are invited to apply for Public Health Agency (PHA) small grants to promote health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. The small grants programme is open until 12 October 2012 offering grants of up to £5,000 for projects that will be completed by the 31 March 2013.
Sign up for a quit kit to increase your chances of stopping smoking
The PHA is urging smokers to order a free quit today following new research which shows that nearly 65% of smokers found it helped them to give up or cut down on their smoking. The PHA has distributed over 19,000 quit kits since January 2011 and recent research* on the Quit Kit shows that almost 65% (64.6%) of smokers found it helpful in their attempts to stop or cut down on their smoking, with four out of ten respondents stating that they found it very (26.1%) or extremely helpful (13.7%).
Still going strong after 10 years of health improvement in the west
The Western Investing for Health (WIFH) Partnership, established in 2002, celebrated 10 years of successfully tackling inequalities and promoting good health and emotional wellbeing at a special event today (6 September). The celebrations also provided an opportunity to look forward to a significant and productive future in the North West.