Uptake rates for MMR vaccine in Northern Ireland have reached an all-time high.Statistics have shown that uptake for the vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, is 95.3% at two years of age. This exceeds the World Health Organization’s target for MMR vaccination is 95%.

To meet the need for skilled researchers within Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland, the HSC Research and Development (HSC R&D) Division at the Public Health Agency (PHA) has awarded three research fellowships. These awards will help to improve the care and treatment of people in Northern Ireland, advancing our knowledge about illness, how the human body and mind work, and how we can better prevent and treat disease.

The gold medal standard of Northern Ireland’s Paralympians can act as inspiration for everyone here to get active, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has said.

Northern Ireland sportspeople are set to compete for gold at the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, taking place in Medway, England from Thursday 23 August, and the Public Health Agency (PHA) has extended its best wishes to the Belfast team. Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency and Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee for Organ Donation, said: “Tomorrow the Northern Ireland transplant athletes will begin to defend the titles they won at last years British Transplant Games held in Belfast.”

The Belfast Strategic Partnership’s ‘Have your say Belfast’ survey, which seeks the views of Belfast residents on their own emotional health and wellbeing and that of their family and communities, has been extended until 21 September 2012. There will also be public information events across Belfast to encourage local communities to get involved in the survey.

The Bank Holiday is a great time to get together with friends and family especially if the weather is good and music or festivals beckon. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people to watch their alcohol intake while relaxing and enjoying the long weekend.

The Public Health Agency’s (PHA) stroke campaign was launched just over a year ago and 12 months on, Berkley Farr is proof that it has worked. The PHA launched the FAST campaign to increase awareness of stroke symptoms in order to help save lives. Research had shown that awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke, and what action to take, was low among the general population.

August is the month for music festivals, with Sunflowerfest, Electric Picnic and the Leeds and Reading festivals all taking place, providing the perfect opportunity for campers. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding festival goers of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning from leaving lit or smouldering barbecues inside tents or caravans.

Fit and Well – Changing Lives is the proposed new 10-year public health framework. It is designed to be strategic and to provide direction for policies and actions to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Northern Ireland. Like its predecessor Investing for Health this proposed new strategic framework will require partnership working across government, the statutory and community and voluntary sectors.