Helium is a colourless, odourless inert gas which has many unique properties such as low boiling point, low density and high thermic conductivity. For these reasons its most common uses are in welding, propellants for rockets and in helium-oxygen mixtures for divers.

On European Antibiotics Awareness Day (18 November), the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) are encouraging the appropriate use of antibiotics to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance which is a growing problem.Antibiotics do not work against viruses such as colds and flu and therefore are of no benefit in treating viral infections and may lead to undesirable side effects, such as diarrhoea.

Findings, from research on suicidal men, aged 16-34, in Northern Ireland, were launched today, (Thursday 18th November). Commissioned and funded by Health and Social Care Research and Development, now part of the Public Health Agency, the study was undertaken by the University of Ulster, Queen’s University and the University of Maine (USA). The information will increase the understanding of suicidal young men, and inform the delivery of accessible, acceptable and appropriate mental health services.

As part of the ‘Focus on Health Inequalities’ month, the Public Health Agency is sharing its ‘Advice 4 Health: Support and Benefits Maximisation’ project successes and good practice at a seminar on 18th November at Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey. The scheme, in the Northern Trust area, is in partnership with local Citizens Advice Bureaux and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust; it supports vulnerable people in accessing the services available to them.

On World Diabetes Day (14 November) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone across Northern Ireland to be aware of how diabetes can be prevented and what the signs and symptoms of diabetes are to ensure early diagnosis and good diabetic care. There are an estimated 69,000 adults (aged over 16) and 850 children (aged under 16) living with diabetes in Northern Ireland in 2010. The number of adults with diabetes in Northern Ireland has increased by 34% since 2004.

As winter approaches, the Pubic Health Agency has re-emphasised its continuing commitment to tackling Fuel Poverty at the joint Public Health Agency/National Energy Action Annual Seminar, Friday 12th November, Greenmount Agricultural College, Co Antrim. The focus is Fuel Poverty - Improving Health & Wellbeing: identifying the hazards, sharing good practice and solutions and the role of health and social care services in tackling Fuel Poverty with vulnerable households. It will also consider the economic, social and environmental imperative of acting now.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has renewed its commitment to improve road safety and high visibility in the Fermanagh area for students, with the introduction of reflective blazers in Lisnaskea High School, St Comhghall’s College and Devenish College, County Fermanagh. This was a pilot initiative undertaken by the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) and the PHA has provided vouchers for a number of students to help with the costs of purchasing new school blazers this year.

The importance of breastfeeding to reducing health inequalities and improving maternal and child health is well recognised. The future for breastfeeding in Northern Ireland was firmly under the spotlight today at a seminar hosted by the Public Health Agency, (PHA), and Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, (DHSSPS), in Lagan Valley Island.

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) have launched a new campaign to raise public awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. This new campaign, ‘Watch Out. Carbon Monoxide Kills.’, drives home the importance of having all fossil fuel boilers and appliances properly installed and serviced annually, to ensure that carbon monoxide is not produced. It also strongly urges householders to install an audible carbon monoxide alarm in their home as an added precaution.