The Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the importance of safer sex and HIV testing for men who have sex with men (MSM) during the Belfast Pride festival this week.Recent figures show 396 people in Northern Ireland are living with HIV infection with 186 people becoming infected through sex between men – a figure that has been on the rise since 2000.

The Public Health Agency has welcomed the publication of the UK Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE) Perinatal Mortality 2008 report. The report acknowledged an encouraging decline over the last 10 years in the frequency of deaths in the first week of life across the UK. This trend is also reflected in Northern Ireland. This reduction is even more encouraging given the changing risk profile of pregnant women in Northern Ireland, where the proportion of births to older mothers and mothers from outside the UK and Ireland has increased.

Following the recent episode of flooding in Armagh, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has advised people to be cautious when dealing with flood water.Dr Gerry Waldron, Health Protection Consultant for the PHA, said: “When flooding occurs the risk of contracting any illness is generally low. However, as it is not always clear whether water is contaminated or not, the safest approach is for people to assume that flood water is contaminated.”Dr Waldron continued: "You can take a number of precautions to prevent health problems if you have experienced a flooding incident:

Following publication of a study by the Health Protection Agency which shows an increase in cases of infection of HIV in people aged 50 and over, the Public Health Agency has called on people to remember that HIV can affect anyone.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) welcomes Transplant Awareness Week, emphasising the importance of transplants which may not be possible without the generosity of organ donors. Last year, 3,504 organ transplants were carried out in the UK, thanks to the kindness of 1,844 deceased and living donors - the highest number on record.

The PHA has welcomed the launch of a new community initiative in Derry, the Drink Think project. The project, which is funded by the Big Lottery, seeks to encourage people and communities to consider the impact excessive alcohol consumption has on them, their families and their communities.

Following a number of returning holiday makers from Turkey having to be given anti-rabies treatment, the Public Health Agency has issued a warning to avoid animal bites when travelling abroad.

As the sun continues to shine in Northern Ireland this summer, the Public Health Agency (PHA), in partnership with Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF), continues to encourage everyone to take care in the sun.

Acknowledging the publication of the first sub-regional bulletin of the Health and Social Care Inequalities Monitoring System, Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health, PHA said: “We have known for some time that good health is not experienced equally in Northern Ireland.

Lurgan Young at Heart Men’s Club are brushing up on their cooking skills and learning to dance thanks to the Southern Investing for Health Partnership (SIHP). The Club, whose members are mainly in the 60+ age group, encourages members to actively engage in physical and social activities, promoting a greater understanding of the links between exercise, diet, health and wellbeing.