To mark National Breastfeeding Awareness Week (21-27 June 2010), ‘Healthy Steps for Life’ in partnership with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT) have hosted an event to celebrate community-based breastfeeding support services in the Southern area.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) supports the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) calling for banning of trans-fats in manufactured products. Research shows that artificially hydrogenated fats used in baked food are high in trans-fats and these are known to increase health risks such as cardiovascular disease. The PHA would encourage everyone to eat a healthy balanced diet and limit their intake of these foods which include for example, biscuits and cakes. For further information on eating well visit www.enjoyhealthyeating.info

A new report, launched today (during Men’s Health Week), entitled: “Men’s Health Report – Southern Area Perspective’ has highlighted that men living in the Southern area of Northern Ireland have a shorter life expectancy than those living in the rest of Northern Ireland. Life expectancy in males in Northern Ireland in 2005-2006 was 76.2 years, however, for some across the Southern area (Armagh, Dungannon, Newry and Mourne) life expectancy was less than 70 years.

A new ‘one stop shop’ drop-in service, providing information, support and education to those young people and their families affected or concerned by alcohol and drug misuse has opened its doors in Dromore. The service entitled ‘Info-station’ has been funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and is managed by REACT (Reaching Everyone and Creating Trust). Four such pilot centres have been set up across Northern Ireland.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is today contacting around 270 people who have been in contact with a healthcare worker in the southern area recently diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB).Most of those contacted will receive information and approximately 40 will be offered TB screening in line with standard practice.

The Ann Brown Trust at Farset, with support from the Institute of Public Health (IPH) and the Public Health Agency (PHA), launched a report on health inequalities in communities in Belfast called ‘Death by Postcode’, on Wednesday 16 June 2010 in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings at 2.15pm. The launch featured contributions from Barney McCaughey, Chairman of the Ann Brown Trust at Farset, Baroness May Blood, Trustee at Farset, Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive, Public Health Agency and Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Michael McGimpsey.

A conference on cancer awareness and early diagnosis, led by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and working in partnership with QUB Centre of Excellence in Public Health, the NI Cancer Registry and the NI Cancer Network, took place on Monday 21 June 2010 at the Peter Froggatt Centre, QUB.